Boyle in the Eyes of Posterity

Boyle was a most realistic teacher. No scientist in history, not even Newton or Einstein, gained so much respect during his lifetime as the modest Boyle. His authority was unquestioned; as one who aroused enthusiasm, he exceeded Newton, Einstein and Bohr. It is characteristic of him that under doctor’s orders, and in order to be able to publish his works regularly, he put a board in the front of his house stating which morning and afternoon in the week he did not receive visitors (Boyle et al., Works, 2000, 14, 363; Maddison, 9, 1951, 1–35 and 11, 1954, 38–53). Praises and tributes paid to him by contemporaries, even if greatly exaggerated, are most remarkable. His works were republished for about a century. A Latin edition and an epitomized English edition of his works appeared soon after his death and two English editions of his works followed two English and two Latin editions of his philosophical works in the eighteenth century.