A recently unearthed short story, titled "Pryce's Buoy," is providing fresh perspectives on the personal life of World War II codebreaker Alan Turing, according to Professor Sarah Dillon. Dillon, who analyzed the story, believes it to be a fictionalized portrayal of a sexual encounter that preceded Turing's 1952 arrest and subsequent conviction for gross indecency.
Turing was compelled to undergo hormone treatment following his conviction. He died by suicide in June 1954 at the age of 41. In 2013, Turing received a posthumous royal pardon, and four years later, the British government announced that gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offenses in England and Wales would also receive posthumous pardons under legislation known as Turing's Law.
Dillon suggests that literature served as a vital outlet for Turing during the difficult years leading up to his death, allowing him to process his experiences and identity. "This was the moment when he really felt a release, a chance to be more creative and playful," Dillon stated.
Further analysis by Dillon revealed that Turing adopted the writing style of "Hemlock And After," a gay novel authored by Angus Wilson, a fellow veteran of Bletchley Park. Dillon posits that "Hemlock And After" was a significant read for Turing at a crucial juncture in his life, describing it as a "powerful moment for Turing amid so much trauma."