logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
52m 27s

Alan Turing | An Awkward Genius | 1

Wondery
About this episode

A curious bookish boy, Alan Turing is already an outsider at a young age. But at Cambridge, he comes up with an idea that shapes the foundation of computer science. His genius will later alter the course of the Second World War. But Turing's personal life will destroy his reputation for generations to come.

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Jun 23
Listen Now: Liberty Lost
In Evangelical homes across the United States, sex outside of marriage is a sin against God. So, when Abbi becomes pregnant at 16, her devout parents hide her away at the Liberty Godparent Home, a little-known facility for pregnant teens on the campus of Liberty University. The H ... Show More
5m 55s
Jun 20
Listen Now: Even the Royals
You might enjoy Even the Royals, a podcast from Wondery that pulls back the curtain on royal families, past and present from all over the world, to show you the darker side of what it means to be royalty. Charles the Second was known as the Merry Monarch, but his childhood was no ... Show More
39m 11s
Jun 18
Joan of Arc | The Birth of a Saint | 4
Joan's last-minute change of heart seals her fate. She faces the end with her usual indomitable spirit, while the King and country she’s given her life for, turn their backs. What is the true legacy of this girl who didn’t even make it out of her teens, but whose courage has insp ... Show More
41m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2010
Spotlight on Alan Turing
Alan Turing is often hailed as a genius, but why? In this episode, Jonathan and Chris trace the life, trials and astonishing breakthroughs of Alan Turing. Tune in to learn more about Turing's work and influence on history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod ... Show More
36m 43s
Oct 2020
Alan Turing
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Alan Turing (1912-1954) whose 1936 paper On Computable Numbers effectively founded computer science. Immediately recognised by his peers, his wider reputation has grown as our reliance on computers has grown. He was a leading figure at Bletchley Pa ... Show More
53m 8s
Jun 2018
SYMHC Classics: Alan Turing, Codebreaker
This is a revisit of a Sarah and Deblina episode on Alan Turing, who conceived of computers decades before anyone was building one. He also acted as a top-secret code breaker during World War II. Despite his accomplishments, he was prosecuted as a homosexual by the British govern ... Show More
20m 33s
Feb 2023
Jeremy Thorpe | Simply Heaven | 1
Ambitious Liberal MP Jeremy Thorpe has a secret. He's got his eye on a handsome but troubled young stable boy. But in 1960s Britain, homosexuality is illegal. Soon he's forced to choose: politics or passion?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No ... Show More
50m 47s
Oct 2023
Encore: The Hitler Diaries | Operation Green Vault | 1
Journalist Gerd Heidemann is searching for his next story for Stern magazine when the scoop of the century lands in his lap. But is it too good to be true?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf ... Show More
50m 37s
Dec 2023
Scientists Who Were Horrifically Persecuted, Part Two: Alan Turing
Human history is absolutely riddled with cases of one person making a magnificent discovery -- only to be punished by the society in which they reside. In part two of this sadly continual series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the story of the legendary Alan Turing, who turned the tid ... Show More
31m 4s
Feb 2023
Jeremy Thorpe | The Go-Between | 2
Jeremy Thorpe's political career is on the up. But his personal life is threatening to bring him down. He is one of the brightest stars in Westminster. Perhaps even a future PM. But rumours about his sexuality are swirling. And in 1960s Britain, homosexuality is illegal. Now his ... Show More
51m 19s
Dec 2023
Encore: The Unabomber | Atomic Pearl | 1
Ted Kaczynski faces a painful rejection in high school. Then he endures an abusive psychology experiment at Harvard. Kaczynski may be an academic prodigy, but he feels lonely and out of place. His solution? He's going to get revenge on modern society.Want to listen to the remaini ... Show More
40m 22s
Mar 2012
Alan Turing: The One Who Became a Zero
Andrew Hodges (author of Alan Turing: The Enigma) delivers a lecture on Alan Turing, the founder of modern computer science. This is the third annual lecture for LGBT history month. The British mathematician Alan Turing, whose centenary falls this year, was the founder of modern ... Show More
55m 10s