Adam Black

Adam Black (20 February 178424 January 1874) was a Scottish publisher and politician. He founded the A & C Black publishing company, and published the 7th, 8th and 9th editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica.

Life Black was born in Charles Street, Edinburgh, the son of Isabella Nicol and Charles Black, a master builder. He was educated at the Royal High School and the University of Edinburgh. After serving as an apprentice to Mr Fairbairn, an Edinburgh bookseller,

In 1827 he purchased the copyright of the Encyclopædia Britannica, along with co-investors Macvey Napier and James Browne LLD. In this capacity he became publisher of the esteemed volume and produced the 7th, 8th and 9th editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica. He also negotiated the purchase of the stock and copyright of the Waverley Novels. in the Old Town and in 1832 his home is given as 30 Broughton Place in the eastern New Town. In 1851 the firm bought the copyright of the Waverley Novels for £27,000, and in 1861 they became the proprietors of De Quincey's works. He died on 24 January 1874. He was succeeded by his sons, who removed their business in 1895 to London. In 1877 a bronze statue by John Hutchison of Adam Black was erected in East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. He is buried in Warriston Cemetery on the outer face of the catacombs close to James Young Simpson.

Family

Black was married to Isabella Tait (1796–1877). Their children included Charles Bertram Black (1821–1906), Francis Black (1830–1892) and Adam William Black (1836–1898).

His granddaughter, Eda Lawrie married the botanist Robert John Harvey Gibson.

Trained under Black

William Durham FRSE (18341893) was apprenticed under Black.