BOYLE, ROBERT. - Celebrated English scientist of the 17th century, born in Lismore (Munster), Ireland, on 25 January 1627, died in London on 10 December, or according to others, 20 December 1691. He studied in Geneva and Florence. After his father's death in 1644, he returned to his homeland to dedicate himself entirely to physics and chemistry. He subsequently resided in Stalbridge (1644), Oxford (1654), and London (1668). In the scientific field, Boyle opposed the Peripatetic-Scholastic theories, which he demolished with a newfound vigour and clarity. Through his research, he significantly contributed to the development of chemistry and ranks, alongside Van Helmont, among the greatest figures dominating 17th-century science. He perfected Otto von Guericke’s pneumatic machine and formulated the law later rediscovered by Edme Mariotte, according to which gases at constant temperature decrease in volume in proportion to the increase in pressure (Boyle-Mariotte law).
He wrote numerous scientific works, among which the *Chymista scepticus* (Geneva 1676) and *Experimenta et considerationes de coloribus* (ibid. 1676) are of paramount importance. Also notable is the pamphlet *Specimen de gemmarum originis et virtutibus* (Hamburg 1673).
Boyle possessed profound and extensive learning, a noble character, and delicate sensibilities. Faithful to science, he was no less devoted to religion, on which he composed several apologetic writings with special regard to the relationship between science and faith. To read the Bible in its original texts, he applied himself to the study of Oriental languages and Greek. He had Hugo Grotius’s *De veritate religionis Christianae* (Leiden 1627) translated into Arabic, sent the New Testament translated into Malay to mission lands, printed at his own expense, and expressed his religious convictions through other notable works of charity. He was one of the founders of the institution that would become the Royal Society of London. His complete works were published in Latin (Geneva 1676) and in English (London 1772).