Alan Turing Collections
Date range: 1935-1975
Medium: Archive
Alan Turing (1912-1954) is recognised as one of the key figures in the history of modern computing and artificial intelligence.
Turing made a number of highly original contributions to computer science from the publication of his paper 'On Computable Numbers' (1936), which outlined a theoretical 'universal' machine (or 'Turing machine') to his later studies of the relationships between human and 'machine 'intelligence'. Turing is also famous for leading the Colossus code-breaking operations at Bletchley Park during the Second World War.
From 1948 until his death in 1954, Turing was Deputy Director of the University of Manchester's Mathematical Computing Laboratory. Here, he played an important role in developing the theoretical and practical capabilities of the University's Mark 1/1A computer.
The Turing Collection comprises two distinct parts. The first is an artificial collection of Turing's publications, including a copy of the 'Mark I Programming Manual', which he authored, and some of his notes and working drafts relating to his work on computing and morphogenesis in plants.
The second part of the Collection (Turing Additional) comprises Turing's academic and professional correspondence during his period at Manchester. This includes material relating to his published work during this period, the operation of the Mark I and more general issues relating to computer science and mathematics. Correspondents include Maurice Wilkes, Christopher Strachey, Robin Gandy, Barbara Worsley, J. B. S. Haldane, Gilbert Ryle, Alonzo Church, Sir Eric Jones, and H. S. M. Coxeter.
See also:
Further information:
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Catalogue of the Turing Collection available online via ELGAR.
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Catalogue of the Turing Additional Collection available online via ELGAR.
Other information:
The Turing Digital Archive includes copies of primary source material relating to Alan Turing held at a number of repositories.
Location:
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