with a flair for languages. At school Boole excelled at Latin and by the age of 16 was an assistant school teacher, whilst studying mathematics for his own interest. To support his parents he opened his own school, continuing with his work in mathematics. This work became so well known that at the age of 35 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at Queen’s College, Cork. His An Investigation into the Laws of Thought, on Which are Founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities, in which he introduced what is now known as Boolean algebra, was published in 1854. This algebra has found many applications, particularly in the design of computers. He was elected FRS in 1857.
http://www.kerryr.net/pioneers/boole.htm Fuller biography and portrait.