BOYACA, a village in the state of Boyaca, in the Republic of Colombia, situated about 20 miles south of the capital Tunja, and celebrated as the scene of the victory of Bolivar over the Spaniards in 1819. See Bolivar.

BOYCE, Hector. See Boece, vol. iii. p. 849.

BOYCE, William, an English musical composer of eminence, was born in London in 1710, and died there in 1779. As a chorister in St Paul’s he received his early musical education from King and Dr Greene, and he afterwards studied the theory of music under Dr Γepusch. In 1736 he was appointed organist of St Michael’s church, Cornhill, and in the same year he became composer to the chapel royal. In 1749 he received the degree of doctor of music from the University of Cambridge, as an acknowledgment of the merit of his setting of the ode performed at the installation of the duke of Newcastle as chancellor. He became master of the king’s band in succession to Greene in 1757, and soon afterwards he was appointed principal organist to the chapel royal. As an ecclesiastical composer Boyce ranks among the best representatives of the English school. His two church services and his anthems, of which the best specimens are By the Waters of Babylon and O, Where shall Wisdom be found, are still frequently performed. Of his other works the best known are the serenade of Solomon, a setting of David’s lamentation over Jonathan, and twelve trios for two violins and a bass, which were long popular. One of his most valuable services to the art was his publication (1760) of a collection of English church music in three volumes quarto, which included all the best compositions of the two preceding centuries. The collection had been begun by Greene, but it was mainly the work of Boyce.

BOYD, Zachary, a learned clergyman of the Scottish Church, was born towards the end of the 16th century, and died in 1653 or 1654. He was for many years regent in the college of Saumur in France, but returned to his native country in 1621, to escape the persecution of the Protestants. In 1623 he was appointed minister of the Barony church in Glasgow, aud held the office of rector of the university in the years 1634, 1635, and 1645. He bequeathed to the university the half of his fortune, a sum amounting to £20,000 Scots, besides his library and MSS. His bust over the gateway within the court commemorates his important benefactions. The number of his published works was considerable, and eighty-six of his MSS. are said to be preserved in the library of Glasgow College. His poetical compositions are not without some merit, though the remarkable eccentricity of some of them has generally made them a source of amusement rather than edification. The common statement that he made the printing of his metrical version of the Bible a condition of the reception of his grant to the university is a mistake.

His best known works are The Last Battle of the Soule in Death, 1629, of which a new edition, with a biography by Mr Neil, was published at Glasgow in 1831; Zion's Flowers, 1644; the English Academie; and Songs of Zion.

BOYDELL, John, an engraver, chiefly known by his plates illustrating Shakespeare, was born at Dorrington in 1719. At the age of twenty-one he came to London and was apprenticed for seven years to an engraver. In 1746 he published a volume of views in England and Wales, and started in business as a printscller. By his good taste and liberality he managed to secure the services of the best artists, and his engravings were executed with such skill that his business became extensive and lucrative. He succeeded in his plan of a Shakespeare gallery, and obtained the assistance of the most eminent painters of the day, whose contributions were exhibited publicly for many years. The engravings from these paintings form a splendid companion volume to his large edition of Shakespeare’s works. Towards the close of his life Boydell sustained severe losses through the French Revolution, and was compelled to dispose of his Shakespeare gallery by lottery. It had been his wish and intention to bequeath it to the nation. He died in 1804 before the lottery took place. Some years before his death he had held the position of Lord Mayor of London.

BOYER, Abel, a well-known lexicographer and historian, was born at Castres in France in 1664. Upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes he first went to Geneva, and then to Franeker, where he finished his studies. Finally he came to England, where he soon acquired such a proficiency in the English language, that he became an author of considerable note, and was employed in writing several periodical and political works. He had for many years the principal management of a new spaper called the Postboy, and he likewise published a monthly work entitled The Political State of Great Britain. He died at Chelsea in 1729.

He wrote— Life of Queen Anne, folio; History of William III., 3 vols. 8vo; Annals of the Reign of Queen Anne, 11 vols.8vo; his best known work is the Dictionary and Grammar of the French Language....