Alan Turing's 1952 admission of his homosexual relationship during a burglary report led to his prosecution and tragic consequences. Recent research by Simon Goldhill reveals that Turing's formative years at King's College, Cambridge, were influenced by a supportive community of openly gay intellectuals. Contrary to common narratives of despair, Goldhill uncovers a vibrant environment where homosexuality was accepted. Turing's belief in his right to be openly gay influenced his decision to disclose personal information during the police investigation, ultimately impacting his life and career significantly.
Turing thought he had the perfect right to be gay. He wasn't ashamed of it. It was who he was.
Goldhill's research has uncovered a rather happy community in the formerly all-male college at the centre of the British establishment.
It was a very camp environment, said Goldhill, who will talk at King's 11 March about his new book, Queer Cambridge.
The admission enabled the police to prosecute the Bletchley Park codebreaker for gross indecency, ending Turing's groundbreaking work.
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