BOYLE, Robert, English philosopher: b. Lismore Castle, in the province of Munster, Ireland, 25 Jan. 1627; d. London. 30 Dec. 1691. He was the seventh son and 14th child of Richard, the great Earl of Cork. He was sent to Eton at the age of eight and in 1638 to Geneva, where he continued to pursue' his studies for several years, returning to England in 1644. During this period his father had died, leaving him considerable property. He now went to his estate at Stalbridge, where he devoted himself to the study of physics and chemistry. He was one of the first members of a learned society founded in 1645, which at first went under the name of the Philosophi cal College. On account of the political dis turbances this society retired to Oxford, but was revived after the Restoration under the name of the Royal Society. Boyle occupied himself at Oxford in making improvements in the air-pump. Like, Bacon, he esteemed obser vation the only road to truth. He attributed to matter merely mechanical properties. Every year of his life was marked by new experi ments. We are indebted to him, indirectly, for the first certain knowledge of the absorption of air in cakination and combustion, and of the increase of weight which metals gain by oxidation. He studied the chemical phenomena of the atmosphere, and was thus a predecessor of Mayow, Hales, Cavendish and Priestley. In all his philosophical inquiries he displayed an accurate and methodical mind, relying wholly upon experiments. While endeavoring
to settle his faith, he found those defenses of the Christian religion which had been pub lished before his time unsatisfactory. In order, to read the original works which are considered the foundation of Christianity he studied the Oriental languages and formed connections with Pococke, Thomas Hyde, Sam uel Clark, Thomas Barlow, etc. The result of his studies was a conviction of its truth, which was manifested not only by his theological writings, but by his benevolence and generous disinterestedness. He instituted public lectures for the defense of Christianity, devoting an annual sum to the payment of a lecturer. Boyle did much for the support of the mission in India and caused Irish and Gaelic translations of the Bible to be made and printed at his own expense. To his religious principles were united the purest morals, a rare modesty and an active benevolence. Three successive kings of England conversed familiarly with him, and no stranger of note visited England without seeking an interview. He was interred in West minster Abbey. Birch published his life and an edition of his works, five volumes, folio, London 1744; 2d ed., 6 vols., 1772. Latin edi tions of his works were issued at Geneva in 1677, 1680 and 1714; at Cologne in 1680-96; at Venice 1695, and in French at Paris in 1679.