BOYLE, Hon. Courtenay (1770-1844).

After a reputable naval career, Boyle was captain of the Royal William at Portsmouth when he came into Parliament on the interest of the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Bandon. Earl Spencer, Boyle’s wife’s cousin, who was Home secretary, suggested to his colleague at the Admiralty, 19 Dec. 1806, that Boyle would make a good commissioner of the transport board if a professional was wanted, and noted that Boyle’s brother Lord Cork was ‘very well disposed’ to the ministry. By then, Boyle himself was reckoned a supporter by the chief secretary, despite initial doubts about him.Spencer mss, NLS mss 12911, Elliot to Fremantle, 25 Dec. 1806. In 1807 it was Lord Shannon’s turn to name the Member for Bandon Bridge and Boyle went out of Parliament. He was clearly not a violent politician, for the Portland ministry appointed him to the transport board in June 1809. He died 21 May 1844.