Thomas Boyce (dramatist)

Thomas Boyce (c. 1732?–1793), was an English cleric and dramatist.

Life

He was born at Swanton, Norfolk, the son of John Boyce, brewer, of Norfolk. Boyce spent four years under Mr. Bullimer at Norwich, and four at Scarning under Mr. Brett. He was admitted pensioner 17 March 1749–50 to Caius College, Cambridge, proceeding B.A. in 1754 and M.A. in 1767. Ordained deacon 2 Nov. 1755, he served as curate of Cringleford in 1768, and rector of Worlingham, Suffolk, from 1780 until his death. He also served as chaplain to the Earl of Suffolk.

Boyce died 4 February 1793, in his 62nd year.

Works

Boyce was the author of A specimen of Elegiac Poetry, 1773, and one tragedy, Harold, London 1786, which was never acted. In the preface to this he states that when he wrote it he was unaware that Richard Cumberland's play on the same subject was in rehearsal at Drury Lane.

Plays

1. Harold: a tragedy, Thomas Boyce, (London 1786).

References

"Boyce, Thomas" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

• A New Biographical dictionary, Volume 1, Thompson Cooper, p. 272, (London 1873).
• Biographical history of Gonville and Caius college, VOL. II, p. 64, John Venn, (Cambridge 1898).
• The East Anglian: or, Notes and queries, p. 207, ed. Samuel Tymms, (London 1869). Mural tablet found at S. aisle entrance to Worlingham Church, Suffolk.