Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691

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Boyle, British natural philosopher, chemist. Eton College, circa 1635-1638, traveled on continent and studied with private tutors, 1638-1644. He was greatly influenced by his readings of Bacon and Descartes. Became active participant and member "Invisible College, London, 1644 (predecessor of the Royal Society, 1662); established a laboratory, Oxford 1654; Director, East India Company; financed much missionary work including the printing of Bibles for the various British colonies; moved to London, 1668, remained there until his death. Wrote and published numerous scientific, as well as moral and religious treatises. Boyle's crucial significance for a range of facets of natural philosophy was recognized in his lifetime. Through his many writings and experiments, Boyle's work influenced the development of scientific method, influencing not only his student Isaac Newton, but establishing methods that later came to be accepted in many branches of physics and chemistry. Research areas: Best known for his discovery of Boyle's law; defined term, element, and showed that current methods of analysis did not conclusively prove the existence of the Aristotelian four elements or the Paracelsian three principles; distinguished clearly between mixtures and compounds; believed in corpuscular theory of matter; designed vacuum pump, experimented in pneumatics; investigated specific gravities, refractive powers, crystals, colors, electricit

y, capillary action and combustibility of hydrogen; invented compressed-air pump; made use of an evacuated cylinder to demonstrate Galileo's assertion that in a vacuum all bodies fall at same velocity; studied chemistry of combustion and respiration.

From the description of Letters and Papers of Robert Boyle, 1908-1965. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82942196

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Malpighi, Marcello, 1628-1694. [Letters, manuscripts and drawings, some addressed to Robert Boyle and Henry Oldenburg, and some from members of the Royal Society of London to Malpighi. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Gookin, Daniel, 1612-1687. Indians converted or historical collections of the Indians in New England ..., 1674. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Science in the American British colonies collection, 1672-1766. Library of Congress
creatorOf Locke, John, 1632-1704. Collection of autograph letters signed (24), a letter signed, and a document signed : London and Oates [near Harlow, Essex], to Cornelius Lyde and others, 1678 July 26-1703 June 28. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Letter. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
referencedIn Royal Society (Great Britain). Early Letters and Classified Papers, 1606-1740. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Gookin, Daniel, 1612-1687. An hytorical [sic] [acco]unt of the doing[s] & sufferings of [the] Christian Indians in New England, in the yeares 1675: 1676/1677 / impartialy drawne by one wel aquainted with that affayre and presented unto the Right Honble the Corporation residing in London appointed by the Kings most exelent matie for promoting the gospel among the Indians in America. Newberry Library
creatorOf Gookin, Daniel, 1612-1687. An historical account of the doings and sufferings of the Christian Indians in N. England in the years 1675, 1676, 1677 Newberry Library
referencedIn Sir Isaac Newton: Letter to Robert Boyle, 1679 Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
referencedIn John Farquhar Fulton papers, 1892-1988, 1920-1960 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Maddison Collection, 1490-c.1984 Specialist Collections and Academic Archives, University of Kent
creatorOf [Robert Boyle, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
creatorOf Eliot, John, 1604-1690. Natick Indian grammar, 1666. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Robert Boyle: Letters from him, 1678-1682 Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
creatorOf Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Praelectiones Physicae : manuscript, [17--]. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Francis Nicholson Papers, 1680-1721. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Hetherington, J. A course of hydrostatical and pneumatical experiments... : notebook, 1711. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Nicholson, Francis, 1655-1728. Papers, 1680-1721. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Warwick, Mary Rich, Countess of, 1625-1678. An abridgment of the Lady Warwick's diary, 1666-1672. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Espenscheid, Lloyd, 1889-. Espenscheid collection of pamphlets, articles and reprints in telegraph and telephone history, 1782-1946, (1880-1930). American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Beale, Elizabeth, fl. 1681-1705,. Notes on several commentaries on the Bible, apparently compiled by Elizabeth and Bartholomew Beale [manuscript], ca. 1681-ca. 1705. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Eliot, John, 1604-1690. Letters, 1657-1681. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Letters and Papers of Robert Boyle, 1908-1965. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Burton, John D. Crimson missionaries : the Robert Boyle Legacy and Harvard College. Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Clayton, John, 1657-1725. Description of fencing at Jamestown by Reverend John Clayton in a letter to Robert Boyle, 1685. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Evelyn, John, 1620-1706. Letter signed (retained copy) : Sayers Court, to [Robert Boyle], 1674 Jun. 20. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Barchas, Cecile M.,. Portrait prints of scientists, 1473-1898. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Fulton, John F. (John Farquhar), 1899-1960. John Farquhar Fulton papers, 1892-1988 (inclusive), 1920-1960 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Vertue, George, 1684-1756. Bust portraits of Robert Boyle, 1739 : engravings, nd. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Beale, Elizabeth, fl. 1681-1705, person
associatedWith Boyle, Robert person
associatedWith Burton, John D. person
associatedWith Clayton, John, 1657-1725. person
associatedWith Dibner, Bern, person
associatedWith Dr. R. E. W. Maddison person
associatedWith Eliot, John, 1604-1690. person
associatedWith Espenscheid, Lloyd, 1889- person
associatedWith Evelyn, John, 1620-1706. person
associatedWith Francis Nicholson. person
associatedWith Fulton, John Farquhar, 1856-1932 person
associatedWith Fulton, John F. (John Farquhar), 1899-1960. person
associatedWith Gookin, Daniel, 1612-1687. person
associatedWith Hetherington, J. person
associatedWith Locke, John, 1632-1704. person
associatedWith Malpighi, Marcello, 1628-1694. person
associatedWith Nicholson, Francis, 1655-1728. person
associatedWith Royal Society (Great Britain) corporateBody
associatedWith Sir Isaac Newton person
associatedWith Vertue, George, 1684-1756. person
associatedWith Warwick, Mary Rich, Countess of, 1625-1678. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Great Britain
North America
Subject
Alchemists
Atheism
Bible
Bible and atheism
Bible. Irish
Chemistry
Christianity
Hydrostatics (Experimental)
Physics
Science
Theology
Occupation
Chemists
Activity

Person

Birth 1627-01-25

Death 1691-12-31

Irish (Republic of Ireland)

English

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