Charles Boycott - Later Life

Later Life

After leaving Ireland, Boycott and his family visited the United States. His arrival in New York generated a great deal of media interest; the New York Tribune said that "The arrival of Captain Boycott, who has involuntarily added a new word to the language, is an event of something like international interest". The New York Times said that "For private reasons the visitor made the voyage incognito, being registered simply as 'Charles Cunningham'". The purpose of the visit was to see friends in Virginia, including Murray McGregor Blacker, a friend from his time on Achill Island who had settled in the United States. Boycott returned to England after some months.

In 1886, Boycott became a land agent for Hugh Adair's Flixton estate in Suffolk, England. He had a passion for horses and racing, and became secretary of the Bungay race committee. Boycott continued to spend holidays in Ireland, and according to Joyce Marlow, he left Ireland without bitterness.

In early 1897, Boycott's health became very poor. In an attempt to improve his health, he and his wife went on a cruise to Malta. In Brindisi, he became seriously ill, and had to return to England. His health continued to deteriorate, and on 19 June 1897 he died at his home in Flixton, aged 65. His funeral took place in the church at Burgh St Peter, conducted by his nephew Arthur St John Boycott, who was at Lough Mask during the time of the first boycott. Charles Boycott's wife, Annie, was subsequently sued over the funeral expenses and other debts, and some assets had to be sold. A number of London newspapers, including The Times, published obituaries.