University of Oxford

Oxford is one of the oldest English-language universities in the world. A leading center of learning throughout the Middle Ages, it has maintained an outstanding reputation, especially in the classics, theology, and political science. John Locke, Adam Smith, Oscar Wilde, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen Hawking are among the luminaries who have studied at Oxford. What founder of modern chemistry never formally studied at Oxford but was active in its academic community and awarded an honorary degree? More...

Robert Boyle was never a student at a university. Nor was he ever a fellow of an Oxford College, though that too has been claimed on his behalf (Dutton 1951, 20), but it was to Oxford that he removed after his time at Stalbridge, and it was there that his interest in natural philosophy flowered.
In Oxford Boyle's tremendous output of works in philosophy, theology, and experimental philosophy began. It was here that he published New Experiments Physico-Mechanical, Touching the Spring of Air and its Effects, Certain Physiological Essays, The Sceptical Chymist, Some Considerations touching the Usefulness of Experimental Natural Philosophy, and a number of others including The Origine of Forms and Qualities.


This plaque is on the wall of University College.

His house stood on the site where the Shelley Memorial now stands, and his two rooms there seem to have served Boyle admirably, though he later set up a retreat at Stanton St John's, where he could retire when the press of society grew too great in Oxford.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/boyle/