The George Boole Papers at UCC Library

Crónán Ó Doibhlin

Head of Research Collections & Communications ,UCC Library

George Boole Bicentenary Celebration 28 – 30 August 2015

Are you the next George Boole?

George Boole as an inspiring figure

• Stimulating interest in the study of mathematics and information and communications technology (ICT) at UCC

• Demonstrating the wider impact of research at UCC and the opportunities for disciplines impacted by Boole, such as engineering, mathematics, computer science, biosciences, philosophy and music.

• Strengthening our partnerships with the business community and ICT sector

• Bringing George Boole to life as an inspiring figure to schoolteachers, pupils and parents

The George Boole Papers at UCC

• Acquisition in 1983

• Over 400 items: correspondence, pamphlets, photographs, poetry

• Accessed by more than 20 researchers per annum!

• The collection has been digitised with donor support

Definition of a Unique and Distinctive Collection

‘A collection that, regardless of format or location within an institution, derives significance from its interest to research, teaching or society through its association with a person, place or topic, such as to distinguish the constituent items from similar items which may exist elsewhere’.

The George Boole Papers : A Unique and Distinctive Collection

• Strategic ways in which libraries can maximise the potential and impact of unique and distinctive collections within the strategic framework of an institution.

• Fundamental changes within the academic and library environment

• “Opportunity - especially in a period of economic pressure.”

• Making the institution itself unique and distinctive : Thinking afresh what is special!

Library Supporting UCC’s Strategic Objectives

• Approx. 65 Boole 200 projects

• Media, PR, Marketing and Communications

• Partnerships: Cork City Council, University of Lincoln, The Royal Society, MIT

• Employment and partnership with ICT community in Cork

George Boole 200

Ms. An investigation of the laws of thought (courtesy of The Royal Society)

“I hear that the Board of Principals & Vice Principals has sent up to the Lord Lieutenant a list of about half a dozen names out of which it remains for him to select the three Professors of Mathematics. I believe that your name is one of those returned and that as regards qualifications the Board has recommended you in the strongest way.”

BP/1 /3 © UCC Library

Boole’s first letter home – BP/1/6 October 25 1849.

“I have at length arrived at scene of my future labours and have taken what I think will prove comfortable lodging close by the college. The situation and the prospects around are all that could be desired. The river Lee flows in front of us through a beautiful valley the sides of which are covered with wood in many parts, an unusual sight in Ireland, and with suburban villas, Cork is so far as I have yet seen is a very pleasant and indeed a rather fine city.”

BP/1 /6 © UCC Library

“An air of utter devastation…”

“Of the state of cultivation in Ireland judging from what I yesterday saw while travelling from Dublin it is impossible to speak in terms too sad. There is over the whole country an air of utter destitution and abandonment. For miles and miles you see nothing but fields overgrown with weeds….. scarcely a human being by the way or a herd of cattle in the fields..”

BP /1/6 © UCC Library

Queens College Cork – Robert Lowe Stopford (1813-1898)

““You would I am sure be much delighted if you saw the college in which I have now to labour. It stands upon a little wooden eminence overlooking a valley through which two branches of the River Lee wind. One of them flows immediately below the college and there is a little cascade in the stream the murmuring of which is very agreeable. There are many such on the Lee above Cork. Below the city the Lee widens greatly and indeed becomes an arm of the sea. The hills rise there to a considerable height on either side and are covered with wood.”

BP/1/224 © UCC Library

“Cork seems to be a very hospitable place and entertainments are given a style which to me appears magnificent and even extravagant. At a dinner which I was present at the other day we began with turtle soup and champagne. Considering the distressed state of the country a more homely style of entertainment would be more suitable and in better taste. I intend to limit myself to the acceptance of one invitation in the week. A night of quiet reading or work is better to look back upon. Life rolls fast enough away”

BP/1/142 © UCC Library

Themes

• Social history & the city environs

• Festivals: Christmas, St. Patricks Day, Valentine’s Day

• Pastimes: walking , music, poetry

• University Life

• Family

“London June 22nd 1864

My dear Mary Ellen [sic],

I send you my best love and hope that you will be a good girl. You are now 8 years old.

For each of the little ones a kiss from me

I am your father George Boole.”

BP /1/329 © UCC Library

Charles Babbage & George Boole 1862…

“As Boole had discovered that means of reasoning might be conducted by a mathematical process, and Babbage had invented a Machine for the performance of mathematical work, the two great men together seemed to have taken steps towards the construction of that grand prodigy a Thinking Machine.”

BP /1/260 © UCC Library

Boole to his students BP/1/224

“..how delighted I shall be on my return to my native city if I learn that you have 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. Remember well that by faithful honourable conduct you will promote your own happiness now and hereafter. Accept my best kind regards….your former teacher and affectionate friend. PS I shall be proud to hear from any of you.”

BP/1/224 © UCC Library

The George Boole Papers www.georgeboole.ie

Crónán Ó Doibhlin

Head of Research Collections & Communications

c.odoibhlin@ucc.ie

UCC Library

George Boole Bicentenary Celebration 28 – 30 August 2015

Thank you!