This choked me up

[charlie_cochrane]

Porgy. Turing's teddy bear, which he had as an adult as he hadn't had one as a child.

Comments

[just-jac7.livejournal.com]

So terribly sad.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

I know. *sobs*

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

That bear has a particularly kind expression. Now i picturing that bright eyed little boy in the photo. I wonder what toys he did have, what games he played. Do you know?

Even with attention and compassion, childhood was likely to be hard for a kid who was so brilliant and so different. And somehow I have the feeling that the adults in Turings life then were pretty rigid and self-preoccupied. I think I remember you saying his parents did the same as the Kiplings and mailed him to England from India. Do I have that right?

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

I have seen pictures of him at the seaside so I guess he did all the usual bucket and spade and paddling things.

And yes, he was sent home - with his brother - to be brought up here. Things can't have been easy.

I think the bear looks awfully like him, somehow, but maybe I'm anthropomorphising it.