Mathematical Treasure: Boole's Calculus of Finite Differences

George Boole (1815-1864) was a British mathematician best known for his contributions to logic. However he was also known for his work on and teaching of differential equations. In 1859, Boole published his Treatise on Differential Equations, which became and remained for many years the standard text for the subject at Cambridge University. As a follow-up to this text, he published A Treatise on the Calculus of Finite Differences in 1859. It also was adopted as a text at Cambridge. Shown above is the title page of the third edition, 1880.

The “Preface” to A Treatise on the Calculus of Finite Differences is shown above.

The images above are supplied through the courtesy of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection of the Pennsylvania State University Library and the assistance of Dr. Sandra Stelts, Curator of the Collection.