George Boole
George Boole [buːl], (November 2, 1815 – December 8, 1864) was an English mathematician and philosopher.
Works
He created Boolean algebra. This is one of the bases of modern-day computer science. Other humans, like Augustus De Morgan and Charles Peirce, refined and completed his work. In their times, very few people knew of the work those mathematicians had done. Boolean algebra was rediscovered by Claude Shannon about 75 years after Boole's death. In his doctoral thesis, Shannon showed that boolean algebra was useful. It could simplify the design of electric switches and relays (like those that were used in the telephone switchboards of the time). Shannon also showed that such switches could solve boolean algebra problems. All modern-day digital circuits (mainly computers) use such algebra to solve problems.
George Boole Media
Boole's House and School at 3 Pottergate in Lincoln
Greyfriars, Lincoln, which housed the Mechanic's Institute
Plaque from the house in Lincoln
The house at 5 Grenville Place in Cork, in which Boole lived between 1849 and 1855, and where he wrote The Laws of Thought. (Picture taken during renovation)
Boole's gravestone in Blackrock, Cork, Ireland
Plaque beneath Boole's window in Lincoln Cathedral
Bust of Boole at University College Cork
In modern notation, the free Boolean algebra on basic propositions p and q arranged in a Hasse diagram. The Boolean combinations make up 16 different propositions, and the lines show which are logically related.
5, Grenville Place in 2017 following restoration by UCC
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Other websites
- Roger Parsons' article on Boole Archived 2006-09-23 at the Wayback Machine
- Works by George Boole at Project Gutenberg
- George Boole's work as first Professor of Mathematics in University College, Cork, Ireland