The first modern chemist was Robert BOYLE, an Irish natural philosopher and chemist who lived in the 17th century. He is best known for BOYLE's Law, which states that the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional. He also wrote several books on chemistry, including The Sceptical Chymist, which is considered to be one of the foundations of modern chemistry. BOYLE was a pioneer in the field of chemistry, and his work laid the groundwork for future chemists.