John Boyce

Who was John Boyce?

John Boyce was a novelist, lecturer, and Catholic priest, known under the assumed name of "Paul Peppergrass".

His father was the wealthy proprietor of the principal hotel in the town and a magistrate of the county. John entered the preparatory seminary in Navan, County Meath, and graduated with the highest honours in rhetoric and philosophy. He completed his studies at St Patrick's College, Maynooth and was ordained priest in 1837. For eight years he worked on the Irish mission, but in 1845 moved to America. From Eastport, Maine, the scene of his first missionary work, he was transferred in 1847 to St. John's Catholic Church, Worcester, where he remained until his death.