Review: New Publication Tells The Story Of Alan Turing And His Guildford Roots

Published on: 21 Feb, 2016
Updated on: 21 Feb, 2016

By David Rose

It has taken a long time, but the strong connection that genius Alan Turing had with Guildford is now finally being recognised.

Some people have known that Turing, the man who is universally credited as being ‘the father of modern computer science’, had a link with Guildford. But it was often dismissed along the lines of: “Yes, his parents lived in the town, but Alan never spent any time here.”

Cover of the new publication Alan Turing – Guildford’s best kept secret, by Paul Backhouse.

Although he went to public school in Dorset, followed by Kings College Cambridge, worked as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, and afterwards was based at Manchester University, his roots were definitely in Guildford.

His parents, of course, lived here and so did his brother. Throughout his life he often visited his family here. Guildford was his ‘home from home’.

Fellow local historian and writer Stan Newman gleaned some facts several years ago about the extent of Turing’s time spent in Guildford, and I have previously written about that.

Alan Turing pictured at his family home in Guildford.

But now, Guildford Town Guide Paul Backhouse has really got to grips with the facts. He has done a great deal of research into Alan Turing and his time in Guildford – speaking to members of the Turing family and being given access to rare archives.

He has collated all of this and has woven it into a story of the life of Alan Turing. The result is Paul’s new fully illustrated 24-page publication – Alan Turing, Guildford’s Best Kept Secret.

Paul has been leading guided walks based on Turing and his family and the houses they lived in in Guildford, and these have proved to be very popular.

He then came up with the idea of a publication to complement his guided walk. It is now hot off the press with a free launch event at Guildford Museum on Saturday, March 5, at 11am. At the launch Paul will be signing copies and it costs £4.99.

It contains a number of rare photos – several featuring Turing in Guildford, along with members of his family and the houses they lived in.

You really get the feel of the Turings when they lived here and the town during those times. His school and university days are told, along with his wartime achievements celebrated, and his sad death in 1954. His last visit to Guildford was at Christmas 1953.

It also conatins a number of quotes contemporary to his story by his mother, brother, and people who knew him well.

The Turing’s family home in Ennismore Avenue as it is today.

I have played a small part in the preparation of the publication as Paul kindly commissioned me to undertake its design and layout. Before my work on it began, Paul and I spent some time looking at other local history titles and talking though ideas for how this one should look.

All I have really done is interpret Paul’s ideas on the look and the feel. I am pleased with the result and I know Paul is. But the words are his, and he tells the story very well indeed. I am sure all who buy and read it will agree!

It will also be available from Guildford Museum, the Tourist Information Centre and at Paul’s forthcoming walks taking place between May and September.

During the 2016 Guildford Summer Festival, there will be several Turing-related events around June 23 (Turing’s birthday) to celebrate his Guildford connections.

Guildford Town Guide and author Paul Backhouse in front of the Alan Turing statue at the University of Surrey.

These events will include the new Town Guides Walk, talks, a film and a play – details will be released along with other Guildford Summer Festival events later in the year through the Tourist Information Centre.

Details of the May-September free guided walks will be posted on www.guildfordwalks.org.uk before the May start dates.

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