Black, ADAM

Black, ADAM, publisher, was born in Edinburgh, 20th February 1784, and, trained as a bookseller there and for two years in London, he with a nephew established the Edinburgh business of Adam and Charles Black. The two enterprises which, above all else, gave position, fortune, and success to the firm, were the purchase of the copyright of the Encyclopædia Britannica in 1827 after Constable's failure; and that of Scott's novels from Cadell's representatives in 1851 for £27,000. A seventh and eighth edition of the Britannica was issued during Black's business connection with the firm, while Scott's novels had a large and steady sale. Black was long a prominent and useful citizen of Edinburgh; was twice Lord Provost; and was Liberal M.P. for Edinburgh (1856-65). He died 24th January 1874. A statue was erected in Edinburgh in recognition of his services in 1877. See Memoirs by Nicolson (1885).