Alan Turing’s Lost Papers Fetch Record $625,000 at Auction!

Quick Smiles:

• Alan Turing’s scientific papers, nearly shredded, sold for a record $625,000.
• The papers were discovered in a London loft, gifted to Turing’s best friend.
• Included were Turing’s PhD dissertation and the groundbreaking ‘On Computable Numbers’ paper.

A remarkable collection of Alan Turing’s scientific papers, almost lost to history, has been auctioned for over half a million dollars.

These invaluable documents were discovered in a London loft, where they had been gathering dust after being gifted to Turing’s close friend.

Saved from destruction during a family event, the papers were recognized for their historical significance just in time.

Among the items was Turing’s personal signed copy of his 1938 PhD dissertation, ‘Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals,’ which sold for $150,000.

The collection also included the seminal paper ‘On Computable Numbers,’ known as ‘Turing’s Proof,’ which introduced the concept of a universal computing machine.

This paper, described as the first programming manual of the computer age, fetched an impressive $280,000 at auction, far exceeding expectations.

An auctioneer remarked on the importance of these items, stating, “To think these precious papers could’ve been lost to the shredder – and now they will go on to educate and inspire generations.”

“Turing was a man ahead of his time, and through these pages, he lives on.”

Turing’s legacy in artificial intelligence and modern computing is immeasurable, having played a crucial role in breaking the Nazi Enigma code during World War II.

Despite his contributions, Turing faced prosecution in 1952 for being gay and died two years later, a tragedy that was officially pardoned by the British government in 2011.

The papers, known as ‘offprints,’ were originally gifted by Turing’s mother, Ethel, to his friend Norman Routledge.

Stored in a loft for years, they were nearly discarded until Routledge’s nieces and nephews recognized their potential value.

“Alan Turing changed the world through his ideas, and thanks to a twist of fate his voice continues to resonate, informing the present and shaping the future,” said the auctioneer.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime discovery—not just for collectors, but for the sake of preserving the story of one of the greatest minds in history.”

This unexpected find ensures Turing’s brilliance will continue to inspire future generations, a testament to his enduring impact on the world.

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