George Boole and Walsh's delusions

Abstract

In the bi-centenary of the birth of George Boole, there were many celebrations of his well-known writings and achievements. This paper outlines a little known account he wrote at the request of his good friend Augustus De Morgan. It shows Boole in the unusual role of detective, seeking details on a contemporary named John Walsh. Walsh was not well known then and is completely forgotten now. The details supplied by Boole and De Morgan are now the only memories remaining of the interesting footnote in mathematical history that was John Walsh. Boole's position as professor in Queen's College, Cork, allowed him fortuitous access to the details of Walsh's biography.