Francis Boyle

Champaign - Francis A. Boyle Jr., 74, of Champaign passed away Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

He was born March 25, 1950, in Chicago, the eldest child of Virginia and Francis Boyle. He married Elizabeth Mary Hunt on May 29, 1982, in Oak Park.

In addition to his wife, Betsy, survivors include their three sons, Brian, David (Marissa) and James; his six siblings, Virginia, Patrick (Tricia), Jerry, Eileen, Denise and Kathy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters- and brothers-in-law.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Susan. Eileen passed away on April 13, 2025.

At the time of his death, Francis was a professor of law at the University of Illinois College of Law, where he began his law teaching career in 1978. He specialized in international law and taught courses in international law, international human rights law, the constitutional law of U.S. foreign affairs and jurisprudence. Professor Boyle also held faculty appointments in six other academic units at the UI.

Professor Boyle authored many published books and articles on a variety of topics in the field of international and human rights law. Over his career, he participated in and lectured at many scholarly conferences worldwide.

In addition to his dedication to teaching, Professor Boyle gave generously of his time and expertise as a consultant to many groups and individuals seeking advice on matters of international law and human rights. He represented indigenous groups in the U.S. and Canada, as well as individual death penalty and human rights cases. He advised numerous international bodies in the areas of human rights, war crimes and genocide, nuclear policy, and bio-warfare. From 1991-92, he served as legal adviser to the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East peace negotiations.

Professor Boyle served as counsel to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the International Court of Justice, winning two World Court orders in favor of Bosnia against the former Yugoslavia for violations of the Genocide Convention. He also represented two associations of citizens within Bosnia and was involved in drafting the indictment against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Professor Boyle served as legal adviser to the Bosnian government on several peace plan negotiations over the years. In appreciation for his work on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Professor Boyle was posthumously awarded the Plaque of the Sarajevo Canton at a ceremony on May 8, 2025, in Sarajevo.

Francis served on the board of directors of Amnesty International, as a consultant to the American Friends Service Committee and on the advisory board for the Council for Responsible Genetics. He drafted the U.S. domestic implementing legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention, known as the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 that was approved unanimously by both houses of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.

Francis earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago, a master's and Ph.D. (political science) from Harvard University, and a juris doctor, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He was licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, the U.S. Tax Court and several federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He practiced tax law with Bingham, Dana and Gould in Boston prior to beginning his teaching career.

Although he was extraordinarily focused on his scholarship and teaching, Francis enjoyed many other avocations. Growing up, he was active in Boy Scouts, attended Scout camp in Michigan for several years and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a lifelong swimmer and enjoyed sailing, windsurfing and, occasionally, golf. He took a number of memorable trips with his family, the source of many happy memories. Francis enjoyed musical performances, and he and Betsy regularly attended concerts at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. They also attended Illinois football and basketball games, and when possible, Chicago Bears games.

Above all, Francis was devoted to his family. His pride and joy were the three sons he and Betsy raised together. He spent many of the happiest days of his life with his family vacationing in Leelanau County, Mich.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. May 31 at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., Oak Park.

Memorials are suggested, if desired, to Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Champaign, the Leelanau Conservancy in Leland, Mich., or the Memorial Garden Fund of First United Church of Oak Park.