The only computer before Turin's was Babbages. Babbage designed the machine and partly got it built in the 19th century. His lady collaborator, Ada Lovelace,

Byron's daughter

is credited with writing the first program. Turin was aware of their work and attempted to build an electrical equivalent. It was a GPO electrical engineer called Tommy Flowers who actually built, at his own expense, the first working electrical computer. Further research might reveal if he was from Yorkshire.