The Upstart Earl

Richard Boyle (1566–1643) is recognised more for the achievements of his children than for his own accomplishments. But in his own lifetime his advancement from an obscure Kentish background to become the wealthiest English landowner of his generation was a matter of the greatest interest and curiosity; all the more so because Boyle matched his economic success with the attainment of an Irish peerage, membership of the English privy council and marriage alliances with some of the more notable families in England and Ireland. This book explains how this phenomenal social feat was achieved, discusses how English society responded to Boyle's advancement and details how Boyle rationalised his elevation to himself, to his children and to the world at large. Richard Boyle was also the father of an extraordinarily large and extremely talented family, and a close study of his diary and voluminous correspondence has shed considerable light on the rearing and education of his children.