Boyle, Charles

Boyle, Charles (1670?–1704), 3rd earl of Cork , 2nd earl of Burlington , politician, was second child but first son of Charles Boyle, Viscount Dungarvan (Ireland) and Baron Clifford (England), and Jane Boyle (née Seymour), daughter of the 2nd duke of Somerset. His grandfather was Richard Boyle, 2nd earl of Cork and 1st earl of Burlington (qv). His younger brother was Henry Boyle (qv) (1669–1725). Little is known of Charles's early years. He appears to have been born before 1674; was governor of Co. Cork at the end of the Jacobite war (1691); succeeded to his father's titles (1694) and to his grandfather's posts as Irish lord treasurer and privy councillor (1695), holding these until his death; and became earl of Cork and earl of Burlington on his grandfather's death (1698). His political career was concentrated in England. A tory, he was MP for Appleby (1690–94) before entering the house of lords. He was a gentleman of the bedchamber (1697–1702) to William III (qv) and lord lieutenant of the west riding of Yorkshire (1699–1704). He was appointed to the English privy council in 1702, and later that year became one of the commissioners for union with Scotland, though he died before serious negotiations got under way. Burlington's concern in Irish affairs derived from his estates and interest, rather than active involvement. He was considered as a possible lord justice in 1696 after the death of the lord deputy, Capel (qv), but was not recommended by the whig secretary of state, Shrewsbury (qv). His agents were heavily involved in electioneering on his behalf in 1703, particularly in Dungarvan, where there was a challenge to the Boyle hegemony, and a disputed election result. Burlington died 9 February 1704 at Chiswick, Middlesex. He married Juliana, daughter of Henry Noel and granddaughter of Viscount Campden. His only son Richard succeeded to his titles; when he died (1753) the Burlington earldom became extinct, while the earldom of Cork went to the earl of Orrery, his cousin.