The strategic importance of the George Boole Papers to UCC and to UCC Library. How can Boole be an inspiration to a new generation of students and researchers across disciplines.

1. 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

2. Are you the next George Boole?

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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’.

7. 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!

8. 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

9. George Boole 200

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

13. “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

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

15. “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

17. “An air of utter devastation…”

18. “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

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

20. ““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

21. “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

22. Themes
• Social history & the city environs
• Festivals: Christmas, St. Patricks Day, Valentine’s Day
• Pastimes: walking , music, poetry
• University Life
• Family

23. “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

24. Charles Babbage & George Boole 1862…

25. “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

26. 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

27. 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!