1834-1923

English mathematician and minister best known for developing Venn diagrams to graphically represent sets and their intersections. In addition to set theory, Venn studied logic and probability theory, and lectured in Moral Science at Cambridge University. Economist John Maynard Keynes described his "Symbolic Logic" as "probably his most enduring work on logic," and it is still considered an important achievement today. Venn co-authored a book on the history of Cambridge University and also invented a machine for bowling cricket balls.