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- George Boole, 1815~1864 -
Lincoln-born George Boole is best known for creating symbolic logic - the use of symbols to represent statements and operations on them.
Both this and its equivalent, the algebra of sets, are taught to almost every school child in the world today.
Born on November 2, 1815, his interest in mathematics appeared to have developed later in life, as at the age of 16 he was employed as a teacher in Lincoln and later in Waddington.
Four years later he opened a school of his own, but concentrated on studying languages.
In 1849 he spent the rest of his life at Queen's College in Cork after being appointed to the mathematics chair, and later become public examiner for degrees at Queen's University.
His most famous book was published in 1854, called "An investigation of the laws of thought in which are founded the mathematical theories of logic and probabilities".
Known as the Lincoln Genius, he was highly respected for his pioneering work in mathematics and philosophy and laying foundations for computing and information technology, which plays such a crucial part in the modern world.
He died on December 8, 1864.
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