Death of Christopher Collan Morcom

Alan Turing's reflections on life and death were profoundly influenced by his early experiences, particularly his friendship with Christopher Morcom. Turing and Morcom met while attending Sherborne School, where they developed a close bond that has been described as Turing's first love. This relationship was significant for Turing, providing emotional support and inspiration for his future scientific endeavors. However, the friendship was tragically cut short when Morcom died from complications of bovine tuberculosis, a disease he contracted after consuming infected cow's milk. The loss of Morcom had a lasting impact on Turing, instilling in him a deep sense of sorrow and motivating him to immerse himself further into the realms of science and mathematics. In the wake of Morcom's death, Turing maintained a connection with Morcom's family, particularly his mother, through letters and gifts. This ongoing relationship highlighted Turing's emotional depth and his struggle with the concepts of life and mortality. The experience of losing a close friend at a young age shaped Turing's worldview and influenced his later work, particularly in the fields of logic and computation. Turing's reflections on life and death can be seen as a driving force behind his relentless pursuit of knowledge, as he sought to understand the complexities of existence and the nature of intelligence, both human and artificial.