Dromo's Den

[Up] [Dromo's Den]

Robert Boyle Biography

Robert Boyle Image

BOYLE, ROBERT (1627-91). An English physicist and chemist. He was the son of the first Earl of Cork and was born at Lismore Castle, Waterford, Ireland, Jan. 25, 1627. As a child, he was distinguished by precocity of intellect and a rare love of truth. After studying at Eton and at home, he went to the Continent, where he stayed for six years (1638-44 ). On his return he found himself in possession, by his father's death, of the manor of Stalbridge, Dorsetshire, where he 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. He was one of the first members of that association 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 same time he devoted considerable study to theology. After the Restoration he was urgently advised by Lord Clarendon to take orders, but he thought that he could do better service to religion as a layman. Among the proofs which he gave of this, besides his own theological writings and eminent example, were his exertions as Governor of the Corporation for the Spread of the Gospel in New England, as well as in procuring and circulating at his own expense translations of the Scriptures, and his bequest for the foundation with £50 of the "Boyle Lectures" (q.v.) in defense of Christianity. In 1668 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 1688, finding his health failing, he shut himself up against all interruption, in order to husband his remaining time for the labor of repairing the loss caused by the accidental destruction of his manuscripts. In 1689 his failing health induced him to lessen his activities in various directions, and on Dec. 30, 1691, he died in London. Boyle 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. His scientific reputation was unrivaled among his contemporaries, who regarded him as the successor to Bacon's primacy in such matters. His work in science is fully discussed under CHEMISTRY. See also BOYLE's LAW. Boyle's style in writing was verbose. His complete works (including his very interesting correspondence), with a life by T. Birch, and an index, were published in 5 vols. (London, 1744; 6 vols., 2d ed., 1772). For his life, see Muir New York, 1911).