William Thomson, Lord Kelvin 1824-1907

A web exhibition of manuscripts from the collections
of the University of Glasgow Library
Originally exhibited in 1977; adapted for the web in 2008

Introduction | Boole | Joule | Maxwell | Atlantic Cable | Jenkin | Varley | Tait | Darwin | Other correspondents | Miscellany

George Boole, 1815-1864

The son of a Lincoln tradesman of limited means but high intelligence (“George is clever, think you?” said his mother to a visiting mathematician. "You should have known his father: he was a philosopher”), Boole was for many years a schoolmaster before being appointed in 1849 to the chair of mathematics at Queen's College, Cork. He is best known for his mathematical analysis of logic and his adaptation of symbolical language and notations to logical processes: his system, known as Boolean algebra, provided the means of solving problems of a far greater degree of complexity than had previously been thought possible, and was a considerable factor in the foundation of computer technology.

Boole’s first published work, Researches in the theory of analytical transformations, appeared in the Cambridge Mathematical Journal of November 1839. Eighteen months later, Thomson’s first publication, On Fourier's expansions of function in trigonometrical series (signed simply ‘P.Q.R.’), appeared in the same journal, and in 1845 Thomson became editor of the Journal under its new title of Cambridge and Dublin Mathematical Journal.

When Thomson applied for the Glasgow chair, Boole testified that his "researches on the subject of equilibrium of fluids generally, and their application to statical electricity and to magnetism in particular, appear to me to be likely to lead to considerable advances in our knowledge of these subjects." It was in writing to Boole, 11 September 1846, that Thomson passed the time while awaiting the result of the election to the chair.

In his turn Thomson supported Boole’s applications for academic posts, inviting him in 1848 to inspect the Glasgow system. When appointed to Cork, Boole could devote himself more fully to his research and in 1854 published his major work, An investigation of the laws of thought.

To read the selection of letters in full, click on the thumbnails to view larger versions & then click on the 'back' button to return to this page (depending upon your browser, in viewing the larger version, you may have to click upon an additional button which will appear at the lower right corner to see the image at its largest size)
 

"… I have been getting matters arranged as well as I can about the Mathematical Journal ... I am in great perplexity about the name. Either 'Cambridge M.J.' or 'Cambridge and Dublin' is objectionable as particularizing too much what we wish to make as general as possible, and the title ''Mathematical Journal' ... is I am afraid rather bare ..."

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"... I have been getting a great many new ideas on problems relative to the distribution of electricity on spheres and planes... The principle of images... leads to some remarkable transformations of double integrals..."

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"... I thank you most heartily for your testimonial... It must have great influence with the electors, especially on account of its explicitness... "

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"... I have worked out several demonstrations of the theorem which you mention… I am sitting here in a state of suspense, and the way I have been spending my time is has been better for myself than it will be amusing to you. The good news has just arrived that I have been unanimously elected professor of natural philosophy… "

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"… I hope you will give our University the visit you propose... You would be able to see a good deal of our practice... and to make yourself acquainted with the principle [sic] features of the University system here; which as you are aware differs most materially from that of Cambridge and Oxford… "

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