The Papers of George Boole, (IE BP/1) were collected by Boole’s sister Maryann after his death, to provide the sourcework for a proposed biography by her. They were subsequently purchased at auction by UCC.
The collection consists mainly of personal letters to and from Boole, the original order having been lost an artificial order was imposed by the Archivist during processing. Very few of Boole’s academic works are preserved here, however drafts of unpublished lectures dealing with such topics as astronomy, ancient mythology, education and one entitled "Are the Planets Inhabited?" are extant.
The George Boole Papers Digitisation Project was co-ordinated by Special Collections, Archives and Repository Services, UCC Library with the support of Library IT and the former partner, the Digital Humanities Observatory.
The George Boole Examination Scrapbook (IE BL/SC/GB) contains mathematical examination papers set by George Boole during his time as the first Professor of Mathematics, Queen's College Cork (later University College Cork). Some papers are glued onto the pages, others are written directly onto the page of the notebook. A number of papers have handwritten notes in the hand of Boole. Some of these mathematical notations are possibly solutions to the questions set for the examination. Subjects being examined include simple equations, decimal fractions, differential calculus, spherical trigonometry, arithmetic, algebra and geometry, maxima and minima, Third Year’s Science Scholarships, etc.
A turning the pages edition of The George Boole Examination Scrapbook is available here. This was created during George Boole 200*.
A turning the pages edition of An Investigation of the Laws of Thought: On Which Are Founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities is available here. This was created during George Boole 200*.
Mounted monochrome full-length, portrait of Boole from The London School of Photography, 174 Regent Street. [London]
The Papers of George Boole, (IE BL/BP/1/356).
Tipped in page between pages 46 and 47 in Boole’s own hand. There is text on both sides of this tipped in page which discusses classes logically framed and classes of elements. The opening line is “The independence of the numerical and the logical elements in the numerically definite syllogism seems to be capable of absolute proof.”
Boole, George. An Investigation of the Laws of Thought: On Which Are Founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities. London: Walton and Maberly, 1854.
Tipped in page between pages 46 and 47 in Boole’s own hand. The page is signed by Boole “G.B. to Professor De Morgan, June 10th 1863. Augustus De Morgan (1806–71) provided Boole with a testimonial in support of Boole’s application for the post of Professor of Mathematics at Queen’s College Cork in 1846. Boole had been in correspondence with De Morgan since 1842.
Boole, George. An Investigation of the Laws of Thought: On Which Are Founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities. London: Walton and Maberly, 1854.
Honor Examination, Junior Class, June 1st, 1859 set by George Boole, F.R.S. (Professor of Mathematics), Queen’s College, Cork (now University College Cork).
George Boole Examinations Book, (IE BL/SC/GB).
6 Nov 1849: From Boole in Cork to his old pupils telling them about his new situation. He mentions he often thinks of them and their welfare and happiness. He describes the countryside around Cork and the college, he mentions the steady rainfall and that he has heard Cork referred to as the rain basin of Ireland. He refers to a report on the opening of the college which is to be featured in the next edition of the Illustrated London News. He adds he would be delighted to find on his return that they all had been good boys 'steady to your labours faithful and obedient to your teachers, kind and courteous to each other, obliging to all with whom you have to do', and states he would be proud to hear from any of them.
The Papers of George Boole, (IE BL/BP/1/224 ).
Over 2014/2015 UCC celebrated both the bicentenary of George Boole's death and the 200th anniversary of his birth. An exhibition "The Life and Legacy of George Boole" was held in UCC Library to mark George Boole 200* as well as a Google hosting a George Boole Google Doodle.
Credit: George Boole 200*: Timeline of Life Events
During the George Boole 200* celebrations a series of blog posts describing Boole's life in Cork was published on The River-side. The blog posts describe food and weather in Cork, the university in the 1840s, his relationship with his family and various festivals celebrated in Cork. All letters included in the series of posts are part of the Papers of George Boole (IE BP/1).
