2015 Press Releases

Boole 200: Lord Mayor of Cork visits Lincoln

4 Sep 2015
Dr Michael Murphy, President of University College Cork: “In Lincoln, Boole’s prodigious talent was nurtured and in Cork, at Queen’s College, he was given the opportunity, the time, the space and the environment to crystalize his thoughts that shaped our modern human experience."

Relatives of renowned mathematician George Boole will today (September 4) join a delegation from Cork visiting Lincoln to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the city’s most influential sons.

Self-taught mathematical genius George Boole was born in Lincoln in 1815 and his work forms the basis of computer science and electronic circuitry. He is widely recognised as the forefather of the information age.

In 1849 Boole was appointed as the first Professor of Mathematics at University College Cork, where he developed his most important work – An Investigation of the Laws of Thought.

During their trip the delegation will visit Lincoln Cathedral, where there is a stained glass window marking George Boole’s achievements. The delegation will also visit Boole’s former home in Pottergate. An exhibition commemorating his 200th birthday at the University of Lincoln’s Great Central Warehouse Library will be on display together with material from the archives.

The Mayor of Lincoln, Cllr Andrew Kerry, will welcome the Lord Mayor of Cork, representatives from University College Cork and Cork City Council, and relatives of George Boole.

He said: “It’s so exciting to be part of the bicentenary celebrations of one of the world’s most renowned mathematicians. George Boole’s legacy surrounds us everywhere – all modern computing devices, including mobile phones and tablets, are essentially derived from the Boolean calculator.”

Dr Michael Murphy, President of University College Cork said: “Lincoln has been the birthplace of two of the greatest mathematical geniuses, Isaac Newton in the 17th century and George Boole in the 19th. In Lincoln, Boole’s prodigious talent was nurtured and in Cork, at Queen’s College, he was given the opportunity, the time, the space and the environment to crystalize his thoughts that shaped our modern human experience. 

“UCC is delighted to share with the University of Lincoln and the city councils of Lincoln and Cork pride in Boole’s achievements and our joint commitment to promulgating and celebrating his genius.”

Cllr Chris O'Leary, Lord Mayor of Cork said: “I met last week with members of the Boole Family when they visited Cork and called in to City Hall. I was delighted that the city was asked to accompany them in the coming days when they visit the birthplace of their great ancestor as Lincoln pays its tribute to George Boole as part of this very important year of commemoration.”

Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council said: “We have been working closely with UCC to ensure that Cork pays a fitting tribute to the legacy of Boole. This trip is an integral part of Cork City's tribute and I especially wish to thank the Chief Executive and Mayor of Lincoln for putting together such a respectful and meaningful itinerary of events.”

University College Cork have launched a year long programme of events and projects celebrating the life and legacy of George Boole (1815-2015) that includes:

  • Redevelopment of Boole’s house at 5 Grenville Placein partnership with Cork City Council
  • Conferences: World leading experts in the field of Mathematics and Computer Science will discuss topical issues in these fields
  • Historical Exhibitions: Joint Life & Legacy of George Boole exhibitions at UCC library and his birthplace in Lincoln
  • George Boole Tours: George Boole and his story at UCC is bought to life in this engaging tour in Cork
  • Boole2School: Boole2School will take place on November 2, 2015 to mark the bicentenary of George Boole, the first Professor of Mathematics at University College Cork. This initiative will see children aged 8- 18 from all over the world have the opportunity to engage in Boolean math lessons bringing Boolean Logic lessons to schools around the world 
  • Compute & Commute: a series of joint projects between UCC and MIT will commemorate the link between Boole and Shannon in 2016 as part of the Claude Shannon Centennial. Initiatives include:   a joint Boole/Shannon exhibition planned for Boston in 2016, a co-hosted lecture series on the theme of Compute & Communicate, an exchange programme between UCC and MIT and a screening of ‘The Genius of George Boole’ around George Boole Day on November 2 2015.
  • The Genius of George Boole documentary: an Oxford Film and Television production presenting a contemporary documentary of Boole’s life and legacy 
  • Biography: a revised edition of Professor Des MacHale’s seminal biography
  • Boolean Expressions: an exhibition of contemporary art at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery
  • George Boole weekend: A celebration of the bicentenary of George Boole’s birth in 1815, including the conferring of honorary degrees on international leaders from the worlds of mathematics and information technology on his 200th birthday, 2nd November 2015.

For the latest, visit http://www.georgeboole.com

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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