The Papers of George Boole, F.R.S. (1815-1864)
Section 1
A. Letters of George Boole
BP/1/139
1 pages
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25 June 1849 |
Typed copy from Boole in London to his mother
describing his stay there (he is working there as
an examiner). He has been to many of the famous
attractions including the Panorama of the
Mississippi. His health is good but he gets
nervous when walking crowded streets. He mentions
a dinner he attended which was 'a dull piece of
magnificence like most London dinners I suppose',
and adds the noise of waiters constantly bringing
and removing dishes was very disagreeable. Sends
best wishes to neighbours.
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BP/1/140
2 items
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23 Oct 1849 |
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BP/1/141
4 pages
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30 Oct 1849 |
From Boole in Cork to his mother discussing his
new position. Examinations have begun and he
expects a large number to apply for them. The
students he has seen appear to be very
intelligent. Their number is supposed to increase
in the coming year, with Dr. Bullen hoping 200 -
300 will enrol. Boole though doubts that figure.
His lectures begin on the 10th or 12th and he has
been given a free hand 'to form my own school of
Mathematics' by Dr. Ryall, the Vice-President. The
official opening is to be on the 7th. He talks of
a walk he took by the Lee which he felt was as
beautiful as Derbyshire. He mentions his landlord
Mr. O'Brien, as being 'a farmer on a rather large
scale.'
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BP/1/142
4 pages
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1 Nov 1849 |
From Boole in Cork to his mother describing his
new life. The exams finished but as a smaller
number of students then expected entered there is
to be another in January, he also describes his
lecturing duties. He finds Cork very hospitable
but mentions being at a dinner which started with
truffles and champagne which he felt to be in bad
taste considering the state of the country. He has
decided to limit himself to accepting one
invitation per week. He finds Cork very pleasant
for walking, although the air is damp it is pure,
his colleagues he finds very likeable especially
the President and Vice-President but adds 'these
of course are first impressions.' He expects his
expenses to be few and mentions he is involved in
a scheme to open a school masters club in the
college.
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BP/1/143 (See Also
BP/1/135)
4 pages
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21 Nov 1849 |
From Boole in Cork to his mother giving her
general news. He is getting on well with his
students who are quiet and attentive. The weather
is very wet so he uses a hot water bottle to keep
his sheets dry adding: 'I have a dry bed and that
is almost the only dry thing about me.' The roads
also are all flooded but he has heard it is
unusually wet. At his lodgings he is allowed have
guests to dinner and Dr. Ryall and Mr. Logan are
both coming. Mentions there are 15,000 Protestants
in Cork and that so far he has liked all the
preachers he has heard. He went on Sunday to Mr.
Logan's chapel and then to his country home which
reminded Boole very much of England.
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BP/1/144 (See Also
BP/1/135)
4 pages
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29 Nov 1849 |
From Boole in Cork to his mother giving her news
of his new life. He is getting on well with his
classes and likes them more and more. He describes
his lodgings which cost £6 per month and consist
of a bedroom, a sitting room and a third little
room. He takes his meals with Albani and De
Vericour in Albani's large room. Of Albani he says
he is a 'very amiable and clever man, a good
logician and mathematician' and state they get on
well. He also mentions Mr. Logan 'a most estimable
man actively engaged in all the benevolent
societies of the place .... but holding himself
apart from those which are exclusive.' He sends
his regards to their neighbours and mentions
receiving a letter from Mr. Brooke which he
enjoyed 'the gloomy prophecies excepted.'
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BP/1/145
4 pages
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Nov 1849 |
From Boole in Cork to his mother giving news of
Cork. He requests her to forward to Mr. Wilson the
copy of the Southern Reporter sent to Maryann by
De Vericour. It is raining constantly but is not
cold; he has his sheet aired every day. He usually
takes a walk before breakfast each morning when it
is fine before the rain sets in for the rest of
the day. He feels the dampness is affecting his
health. He sends his best wishes to neighbours and
requests Mr. Collins to post over some manuscripts
work of Boole's.
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BP/1/146
7 pages
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9 Dec 1849 |
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BP/1/147
4 pages
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9 Jan 1850 |
From Boole to his mother letting her know he
arrived safely in Cork. A fellow traveller was the
Archbishop of Dublin whom Boole found amusing and
instructive. The college is expecting 25 new
students, and he states all his friends are well.
He requests her to preserve his letters as he
wants to record his impressions of Ireland. Sends
regards to neighbours.
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BP/1/148
6 pages
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9 Feb 1850 |
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BP/1/149
8 pages
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7 Mar 1850 |
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BP/1/150
12 pages
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20-25 Mar 1850 |
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BP/1/151
4 pages
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7 Oct 1850 |
From Boole in London to his mother, describing
the warm reception he got from Mrs. Coolney. He
has decided to visit Mr. Haczynshil, sends his
regards to Maryann.
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BP/1/152
10 pages
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27 Feb 1851 |
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BP/1/153
4 pages
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20 July 1852 |
From Boole in Wichner to his mother telling her
how much he is enjoying his visit with the
Everests. He is teaching their son - 'a fine
youth' - during the vacation. Mentions he expects
to hear soon the result of his application for an
examinersh1p in the Queen's University.
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BP/1/154 (See Also
BP/1/106)
6 pages
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Nov 1853 |
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BP/1/155
7 pages
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25 Nov 1849 |
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BP/1/156
3 pages
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14 June 1853 |
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BP/1/157
3 pages
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30 Nov 1849 |
From Boole in Cork to William enclosing an
[account] (not in collection). In reply to a
letter from William he says he is very pleased
with William's account of his situation and
hopes he is now 'in that sphere of life for
which you are best suited.' Adds he hopes to see
himself and Eliza in London. In a postscript he
asks him not to write 'Prof' when addressing a
letter to him but Professor or else nothing: 'I
mention this because it was noticed by a
gentleman who was present when your letter was
delivered and it is you know better to avoid
singularity.'
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