(1771 - 1842) of Castle Martyr, Co.Cork; only surv. s. of 2nd E. of Shannon [I]; sty. Vct. Boyle - 1807 when suc. fa. as 3rd E.; educ. Westminster; MP 1794 - 1800 [I], 1801 - 7; m. 1798 Sarah Hyde; KP 1808.
1791 - 2 Venice (28 Oct. - 3 Nov. 1791), Rome ( - Dec.), Naples (winter 1791 - 2), Rome (Mar. 1792), Florence ( - 22 Jun.) [London by 4 Aug.]
After nearly two years of travel on the Continent, Boyle arrived in Venice with his tutor Robert Dodge on 28 October 1791. On 3 November 1791 they left for Rome,1 and by 3 December they were expected 'every day' at Naples.2 In March 1792 they were again in Rome3 and Boyle was seen in Florence in June.4 He was back in London by 4 August. He may also have been the Boyle who had stayed in Venice between 18 March and 21 May 1791 (listed with 'Eordon' [?] and [Francis] Farquharson).5
His father, Lord Shannon, had offered him advice on his travels, objecting to a proposed visit to Spa because 'I should not wish you, if possible, to see an Englishman whilst you are on the Continent', and expressing his conviction of the worth of a grand tour: 'Nature has done enough for you to have made you a most respectable country gentleman had you never stirred from home, but the knowledge of the world and mankind which you are acquiring so fast will be of use to you every hour and in every situation, private or public'.6
1. ASV IS 763. 2. Dalkeith, 3 Dec. 1791 (letter with Weinreb 1966). 3. E. Hewitt ed., Lord Shannon's Letters to his Son, 29. 4. Carr letters MSS (22 Jun. 1792). 5. ASV IS 763. 6. Hewitt (at n3), 20, 23 (letters of 15 Apr., 6 Jul. 1791).