Boyle Lectures
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The Boyle Lectures were named after Robert Boyle, a prominent Irish Natural Philosopher in the 17th Century. Boyle endowed a series of lectures in his will, which were designed as a forum where prominent academics could discuss the existence of God. The very first such lecture was given in 1692 by Richard Bentley.
Their design, as expressed by the institutor, is to prove the truth of the Christian religion against infidels, without descending to any controversies among Christians; and to answer new difficulties, scruples, etc. To support the lectures, he assigned the rent of his house in Crooked Lane, to a learned theologian within the Bills of Mortality, to be elected for a term, not exceeding three years, by Archbishop Tennison, and others. But the fund proving precarious, the salary was ill-paid. To remedy this, Archbishop Tennison procured a yearly stipend of 50 pounds, forever, to be paid quarterly, charged on a farm in the parish of Brill, Buckinghamshire. [1]
The Boyle lectures were revived in 2004 at St Mary Le Bow church in the City of London by Dr Michael Byrne. They take place annually in February.
[edit] References
- ^ This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.
