Alan Turing (theoretical computer scientist)

Alan Turing was a British mathematician and logician, widely regarded as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. In the 1930s, he introduced the concept of the Turing machine, a theoretical device that laid the groundwork for modern computing by illustrating how algorithms and computation work. During World War II, Turing played a crucial role in breaking the German Enigma code, significantly aiding the Allied war effort. His ideas continue to influence computer science, cryptography, and cognitive science today, and Turing's legacy is also marked by his tragic persecution due to his sexuality.