Edward Charles Gurney Boyle, Baron Boyle of Handsworth, CH, PC (31 August 1923 – 28 September 1981) was a British Conservative Party politician and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds.
The Lord Boyle of Handsworth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 13 July 1962 – 1 April 1964 | |
| Preceded by | David Eccles |
| Succeeded by | Quintin Hogg |
| Member of Parliament for Birmingham Handsworth | |
| In office 16 November 1950 – 29 May 1970 | |
| Preceded by | Harold Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Sydney Chapman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 August 1923 |
| Died | 28 September 1981 (aged 58) |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Early life and career edit
Boyle was born in Kensington, London, the eldest son of Sir Edward Boyle, 2nd Baronet, and succeeded to his father's baronetcy in 1945.[1] He was educated at Eton College and graduated from Christ Church, Oxford, in 1949 with a third-class BA (later converted to an MA) in history.[2] From 1942 to 1945, he was a temporary junior administration officer at the Foreign Office. He worked at Bletchley Park in intelligence.[3]
Political career edit
Boyle entered Parliament in 1950 as MP for Birmingham Handsworth, a seat he would hold until his retirement in 1970. He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Under-Secretary of State for Air from 1951 to 1952 and to the Under-Secretary of State for Defence in 1952, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Supply from 1954 to 1955, Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 1955 to 1956, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education from 1957 to 1959, Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1959 to 1962, Minister of Education from 1962 to 1964 and Minister of State for Education and Science in 1964.[2] In 1957 he opened the new teaching block and science block extension at Abingdon School.[4]
University of Leeds edit
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Boyle was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds in 1970. He was a Trustee of the British Museum from 1970 to 1981 and Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of UK Universities from 1977 to 1979.
In 1977 he had been due to deliver the Reith Lectures for the BBC. Despite 2 years preparation time, he withdrew with 3 months notice.[5]
Boyle died from cancer in Leeds on 28 September 1981, aged 58. He was unmarried and childless and whilst his life peerage became extinct at his death, his baronetcy passed to his brother, Richard.[2]
Honours edit
On his retirement from parliament in 1970, Boyle was awarded a life peerage as Baron Boyle of Handsworth, of Salehurst in the County of Sussex.[6]
Boyle was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the following universities:[citation needed]
- University of Leeds (1965)
- University of Southampton (1965)
- University of Bath (1968)[7]
- University of Sussex (1972)
- University of Liverpool (1981)
Boyle also received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 1977.[8]
Boyle was appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) on 13 June 1981.[9]
Flanders and Swann satirically cited "Edward Boyle's Law" : The greater the external pressure, the greater the volume of hot air.
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Edward Boyle Memorial Trust Foundation Scholarship edit
The Edward Boyle Memorial Trust was established in the wake of the death of the Lord Edward Boyle, in September 1981.
Its aims were the advancement of education, learning and music and its guidelines are as follows:
- support will be given to talented young people at a time when they are in most need;
- the Trust does not intend to do what institutions or individuals should do for themselves. It will help those with proven talent who have shown that they deserve help and are prepared to make their own substantial contribution;
- the Trust will support originality and excellence;
- administration costs will be kept to a minimum;
- because some donors have indicated ways in which they wish their contributions to be used the Trustees will endeavor to meet their requests.
The Trust offered the following support:
- Ove Arup/Edward Boyle Scholarships, intended for students from Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia following an undergraduate course in mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering, and
- Medical Elective Bursaries intended for Commonwealth students.
Publications edit
- The politics of education: Edward Boyle and Anthony Crosland in conversation with Maurice Kogan (Penguin education specials), ed. M. Kogan, Harmondsworth : Penguin, 1971.
- The Bedside 'Guardian' 22 (1972-73). Introduction, London: Collins, 1973.
References edit
- ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography accessed 26 July 2009
- ^ a b c Ramsden, John (2004). "Boyle, Edward Charles Gurney, Baron Boyle of Handsworth (1923–1981), politician". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/30844. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ University of Leeds Library Catalogue of Correspondence of Edward Boyle
- ^ "Founder's Day" (PDF). Abingdon School.
- ^ The Independent 4 June 2008 Robert Hanks: The Week in Radio
- ^ "No. 45142". The London Gazette. 3 July 1970. p. 7377.
- ^ "Graduation Ceremonies". www.bath.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh: Honorary Graduates". www1.hw.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page - Companions of Honour". Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page - Companions of Honour. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Debrett's Peerage. 1973.