Turing’s ideas ‘vague’ says his school report
A YOUNG Alan Turing was told by his science teacher that he would never amount to anything with his “vague ideas”, a school report that has gone on display for the first time reveals.
The celebrated codebreaker and father of modern computing received a better review from his maths teacher, who said that while he lacked the ability to display ideas on paper he showed a “distinct promise” in the subject.
The document is part of a new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Codebreakers and Groundbreakers, which is made up of pieces usually housed inside the Turing Archive at Kings College Cambridge.
In the 1929 summer term report from Sherborne School in Dorset, Turing’s physics teacher writes: “He has done some good work but generally sets it down badly. He must remember that Cambridge will want sound knowledge rather than vague ideas.”
Other teachers scolded his presentation style and his maths tutor said Turing appeared to lack the ability to put a “neat and tidy solution” on paper.
The report reads: “His work on Higher Certificate papers shows distinct promise, but he must realise that ability to put a neat and tidy solution on paper – intelligible and legible – is necessary for a first-rate mathematician.”
His house master also reflected on Turing’s timidity and said: “I am quite satisfied with him and am very glad he is ready to come out of his shell.”
Also on display is a science book which Turing chose in honour of his close friend Christopher Morcom, often described as Turing’s first love.
Turin won a science prize established after Morcom’s death aged 18 and chose this book as his prize.
Letters Turing sent to his mother from the Second World War code breaking centre Bletchley Park and a teaspoon taken from his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, by his mother after his death by cyanide poisoning in 1954 are also on display.
Turing’s ground breaking work cracked the Enigma encryption used by the Nazis and helped win the Second World War for the Allies.