Chapter Boucicault to Boyle of B by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Boyd, Andrew Kennedy Hutchison (1825-1899).—Miscellaneous writer, son of Rev. Dr. Boyd of Glasgow, was originally intended for the English Bar, but entered the Church of Scotland, and was minister latterly at St. Andrews, wrote in Fraser’s Magazine a series of light, chirping articles subsequently collected as the Recreations of a Country Parson, also several books of reminiscences, etc., written in a pleasant chatty style, and some sermons. He was D.D. and LL.D.

Boyd, Zachary (1585-1653).—Divine, belonged to the family of Boyd of Pinkhill, Ayrshire, was educated at Glasgow and at Saumur. He translated many parts of Scripture into uncouth verse. Among his works are The Garden of Zion and Zion’s Flowers.

Boyle, The Hon. Robert (1627-1691).—Natural Philosopher and chemist, 7th son of the 1st Earl of Cork, was born at Lismore, Co. Waterford, and educated at Eton and by private tutors, after which he pursued his studies on the Continent. On his return to England he devoted himself to the study of science, especially natural philosophy and chemistry. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society, and, by his experiments and observations added to existing knowledge, especially in regard to pneumatics. He at the same time devoted much study to theology; so much indeed that he was strongly urged by Lord Clarendon to enter the Church. Thinking, however, that he could serve the cause of religion better as a layman, he declined this advice. As a director of the East India Co. he did much for the propagation of Christianity in the East, and for the dissemination of the Bible. He also founded the “Boyle Lectures” in defence of Christianity. He declined the offer of a peerage. Boyle was a man of great intellectual acuteness, and remarkable for his conversational powers. Among his writings are Origin of Forms and Qualities, Experiments touching Colour, Hydrostatical Paradoxes, and Observations on Cold; in theology, Seraphic Love. His complete works were published in 5 vols. in 1744.