Publisher's Synopsis
Mary Everest Boole, a self-taught mathematician who is best known as an author of academic works on mathematics, like Philosophy and Fun of Algebra, she was the wife of fellow mathematician George Boole. Her revisionist ideas on education, as described in her work, included encouraging children to examine mathematics through playful exercises such as curve stitching. Her life is of importance to feminists as an example of how women made professions in an academic system that did not embrace them. Contributions to education Mary first became interested in mathematics and teaching through her tutor in France, Monsieur Deplace. He helped her understand math through questioning and journal writing. Later, after marrying George Boole, she began offering to the scientific world by advising her husband in his work while auditing his lectures, both of which were unheard of for a woman to do in that period. During this time she also shared thoughts with Victoria Welby, another scholar, and dear friend. They discussed everything from logic and mathematics, to pedagogy, theology, and science. Her teaching started while working as a librarian. Mary also tutored students with her new methods; using natural objects, such as sticks or stones. She hypothesized that using physical manipulations would strengthen the unconscious understanding of materials learned in a classroom setting. One of her significant contributions in the area of real applications is curve stitching with the use of sewing cards, which she identified as a form of amusement as a child; this helped to encourage the relationships of mathematical concepts to outside sources. Her literary work Philosophy and Fun of Algebra taught algebra and logic to children in engaging ways, starting with a fable, and incorporating bits of history. She references not only history but also philosophy and literature, using a mystical tone to keep the attention of children. Mary inspired the use of mathematical imagination with critical thinking and creativity; this, along with reflective journal writing and creating one's formulas, was fundamental in strengthening understanding and recognition. Cooperative learning was also significant because students could share findings with each other in an atmosphere of peer tutoring and promote new ideas and methods. She worked on promoting her husband's works, with considerable attention to mathematical psychology. George Boole's primary focus was on psychologism, and Mary produced a more ideological aspect of his work. She promoted the idea that arithmetic was not completely abstract as many believed, but more anthropomorphic. Pulsation was also prominent in her efforts and could be described as a progression of mental attitudes, with her consideration being analysis and synthesis.
