Forgotten Turing treasure trove rescued from attic goes under the hammer

[erronis]

https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/24/turing_papers_auction/

Computing pioneer's personal papers expected to fetch tens of thousands

Precious scientific papers once belonging to wartime codebreaking genius Alan Turing – rescued from an attic clear-out where they faced destruction – are set to fetch a fortune at auction next month.

The incredible archive, tipped to rake in tens of thousands, includes a rare signed copy of Turing's 1939 PhD dissertation, Systems Of Logic Based On Ordinals [PDF]. Experts reckon this manuscript alone could go for between £40,000 and £60,000 (c $54-$81,000).

Also among the finds is Turing's legendary 1937 paper, On Computable Numbers [PDF] – dubbed the first-ever "programming manual" and introducing the world-changing concept of a universal computing machine.

The papers, originally gifted by Turing's mother Ethel to his mathematician pal Norman Routledge, vanished from public view and were stashed forgotten in a family loft after his death.

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A heartfelt letter from Turing's mother is also included, describing how she spotted her son's genius early, despite school bullies and skeptics. "I have today sent by registered post 13 of Alan's off-prints," it reads. "I have had some requests to write a biography of Alan... I have masses of material because from the time he was about 6 I spotted a winner – despite many detractors at school – and kept many papers about him."

Spencer said: "This fascinating letter is a golden thread that neatly ties up and seals the authenticity of everything being offered."

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