Belfast newspaper editor.

Apprenticed to his uncle Henry Joy, editor of the Belfast News-Letter; assumed full responsibility for the newspaper at his uncle’s death (1789). Represented Belfast at the Dublin National Convention on parliamentary reform (1784). Secretary of the Belfast Whig Club. Retired from newspaper publishing and political activism (1795). Involved in efforts to revive traditional Irish music and literature. Founder of the Belfast Literary Society (1801).

Son of Robert and Grizell (Rainey) Joy. Married Mary Isabella Holmes.