BOYLE, the Hon. ItonEwr, seventh son and fourteenth child of the first earl of Cork, was b. at Lismore, Waterford, Jan. 25, 1626. As a child, he was distinguished by precocity of intellect and a rare love of truth. After studying at Eton and at home, ho went to the continent, where he stayed for six years. On his return in 1644, he found himself in possession, by his father's death, of the manor of Stalbridge, Dorsetshire, where he took up his abode and resided till 1650. He took no part in political strife, but devoted himself to the cultivation of science, and particularly of chemistry and natural philosophy. Ile was one of the first members of that a.s.sociation of scientific men which about that time, 1645, held private meetings at Oxford and London, and some years after became better known as the royal society. In 1654 he settled at Oxford. Here he experimented extensively- in pneumatics, and improved the air-pump. At the some time. he devoted considerable study to theology. After the restoration, he was urgently advised by lord Clarendon to enter the church, but he thought that he could (lo better service to religion as n layman. Among the proofs which lie gave of this, besides his own theological writings and eminent example, were his exertions as a director of the East India company for the propagation of Christianity in the cast, as well as in procuring and circulating at his own expense translations of the Scriptures, and his bequest 'for the foundation of the "Boyle Lectures " (q.v.) in defense of Christianity.
In 1663, he took up his residence permanently in London, and was thenceforth able to devote much of his time to the business of the royal society. In 1680 he was chosen president, but declined the honor. A. peerage had repeatedly been offered to him, and declined. In 1638, finding his health decline, be shut himself tip against all interruption, in order to husband his remaining time for the labor of repairing the loss caused by the accidental destruction of his MSS. In 1691, his health finally gave way, and on the 30th of Dec., 1692, he died, seven days after his beloved sister, lady Banelagh. 13. was tall and emaciated in person, and extremely temperate in his habits, often subject to low spirits, but naturally lively and of rare conversational powers. Nis piety, benevolence. and charity would have made him remarkable, apart from his scientific attainments and reputation. His complete works (including his very interesting correspondence), with ti life by Dr. Birch, and an index, were published in 5 vols. fol. (Lond. 1744).