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Boyle, Richard, 1st Earl of Cork, known as the Great Earl 1566-1643
Anglo-Irish administrator

Born in Canterbury, England, he studied at Cambridge and the Middle Temple, then went to Ireland (1588) to make his fortune. He married an heiress, purchased large estates in Munster, promoted the immigration of English Protestants, and won the favour of Queen Elizabeth I. He built roads, bridges, harbours, towns and castles, and acquired wealth from his ironworks. In 1620 he became Earl of Cork, and was made hereditary Lord High Treasurer in 1631. Although sidelined by Lord Deputy Wentworth (from 1633), he helped to secure his execution, and defended Munster against the Irish rebels (1641).