Boyle, John (1707–1762)

Irish biographer and scholar, a member of the prominent Boyle political dynasty. Born in England and educated at Oxford, he visited Dublin in 1732, but settled in Marston, Somerset, having conceived a dislike for Dublin society. His most celebrated work was a rancorous biography of his former friend Jonathan Swift, Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr Jonathan Swift (1751), written six years after its subject's death.

Boyle was also a close friend of Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson. In the same year as his biography of Swift appeared, he was responsible for a highly regarded translation of the Letters of Pliny.

Boyle was made earl of Cork on the death of the 3rd earl of Burlington in 1753.