3 ms·

"Alan and I were left with “the Wards”—always we referred to them as “the Wards.” We were the wards and they were our guardians but no matter—this was to be the

"Alan and I were left with “the Wards”—always we referred to them as “the Wards.” We were the wards and they were our guardians but no matter—this was to be the centre of our existence for many years and our home from home. I believe it was here, perhaps in the first four or five years at the Wards, perhaps even in the first two, that Alan became destined for a homosexual. Has anyone mentioned it until now?" http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/23/alan-turing-s-brother-he-should-be-alive-today.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/23/alan-turing... I was previously unaware that this was such a common phenomena.

schrijver 14y ago
So he is suggesting Alan Turing’s homosexuality to be caused by strained relationships with parents… still seeing being gay as some kind of personality disorder, that could have been avoided by people taking better care of Turing?
- gruseom 14y ago
  That was a thoroughly conventional thing to think if you were born in 1908.
  - rmc 14y ago
    If anything it might be seen as forward thinking and caring, as opposed to people who thought it was a sin caused by the devil, and/or the person was cruel and wanted to do depraved things. "It's a mental illness, don't blame the person", is kinder than "They are filthy amoral degenerate", but not as kind as "It's as valid a relationship type as heterosexuality"
gruseom 14y ago
That's an interesting piece - a memoir of Turing by his older brother - I'm glad you posted the link. The brother (a lawyer) comes across rather poorly by our standards, but it's worth reading. Interesting that he cites the half-eaten apple as definitive proof of suicide, when (if the OP is correct) Turing habitually ate half an apple at bedtime, and this one was never tested for cyanide.

3 ms·

"Alan and I were left with “the Wards”—always we referred to them as “the Wards.” We were the wards and they were our guardians but no matter—this was to be the

by spinchange 14y ago

schrijver 14y ago
So he is suggesting Alan Turing’s homosexuality to be caused by strained relationships with parents… still seeing being gay as some kind of personality disorder, that could have been avoided by people taking better care of Turing?
- gruseom 14y ago
  That was a thoroughly conventional thing to think if you were born in 1908.
  - rmc 14y ago
    If anything it might be seen as forward thinking and caring, as opposed to people who thought it was a sin caused by the devil, and/or the person was cruel and wanted to do depraved things. "It's a mental illness, don't blame the person", is kinder than "They are filthy amoral degenerate", but not as kind as "It's as valid a relationship type as heterosexuality"
gruseom 14y ago
That's an interesting piece - a memoir of Turing by his older brother - I'm glad you posted the link. The brother (a lawyer) comes across rather poorly by our standards, but it's worth reading. Interesting that he cites the half-eaten apple as definitive proof of suicide, when (if the OP is correct) Turing habitually ate half an apple at bedtime, and this one was never tested for cyanide.