Letter: We Should All Be Proud of Alan Turing and George Abbot Too

Published on: 30 Mar, 2021
Updated on: 30 Mar, 2021

The new £50 banknote featuring Alan Turing.

From: Gavin Morgan

Founder of the Guildford History Forum

In response to: Is Alan Turing Now Guildford’s Best Known Briton?

I could not agree more about Alan Turing. We can be proud that one of the greatest Britons (if not the greatest Briton) treated Guildford as a home as much, if not more, than anywhere.

I would also like to put a word in for George Abbot though for although he is way down the Great Britons list he was a true Guildfordian. He was born in a modest family home by the town bridge, but achieved great things and made a lasting impact on this town.

He was educated at the Grammar School when it was new. He attained high office as Archbishop of Canterbury and helped translate the King James I bible which had such an important influence not only on religion but on the English language.

He retired to Guildford and built the Abbot’s Hospital which is such an iconic landmark for our town. Pevsner described it as the “last great gatehouse in the country and very nearly the best”.

He was buried in Holy Trinity Church where his memorial can be seen. Several of his brothers also enjoyed remarkable career success.

George, we won’t forget you