Boole family thrilled at plans to honour mathematician

Descendants of George Boole, the maths genius whose pioneering work in Cork over 150 years ago helped create the modern digital age, have expressed their delight about plans to honour his legacy.

Boole’s great, great grand daughter, Marni Hinton-Rosner, and his great, great grand nephew Gerry Kennedy, were in the city last night to attend the launch of a new book on Boole as part of UCC’s George Boole 200 commemorations.

Ms Hinton-Rosner, a geography and maths teacher from the US, is descended from Boole’s eldest daughter, Mary Ellen, whose son, Sebastian, invented the jungle gym, a piece of playground equipment that helps teach maths to children.

Sebastian was Ms Hinton-Rosner’s grandfather.

Ms Hinton-Rosner said growing up she always knew there was a mathematician in the family. But it was only when she read Des McHale’s Boole biography, that she realised just how important Boole was.

“That book made it come to life,” she said.“I knew there was a big effort here to honour Boole’s legacy but since I’ve arrived, I’ve been completely overwhelmed.”

She said she hopes to bring more families back in August to take part in other George Boole 200 events.

Mr Kennedy, from England, also praised UCC and Cork City Council for honouring Boole’s legacy.

“He was a man of the people who has now become a man of the world,” he said.

“Cork is owning him as a favourite son.”

The book launched last night, The George Boole Chronicles, was edited by Olivia Frawley, presents a unique insight into Boole as the family man behind the maths.

Meanwhile, the city council is poised to lodge a planning application to restore 5 Grenville Place, the now derelict building near the Mercy Hospital where Boole wrote his landmark book, the Laws of Thought.

READ MORE: George Boole: Cork to honour man who made reading this story possible