William Molyneux (1656-1698) was an Irish natural philosopher and writer on politics. In 1671 he began to attend Trinity College, Dublin where he became an avid reader of the leading figures of the scientific revolution. After attaining a Bachelor of Arts there, he was sent to study law in the Middle Temple, London from 1675-8. Molyneux was appointed Joint Surveyor General of the king"s buildings and works in Ireland in 1684. He represented the University of Dublin in Parliament in 1692 and 1695. He had also served as a commissioner of forfeited estates in 1693. He was responsible for a number of publications reflecting his diverse interests. In October 1683, he founded the Dublin Philosophical Society along the lines of the Royal Society. Molyneux also published several papers in Philosophical Transactions, as well as papers on optics, natural philosophy and miscellaneous topics. Early in 1698, he published The Case of Ireland Being Bound by Acts of Parliament in England, Stated.