Tour Scotland Photograph Adam Black Statue Edinburgh

Tour Scotland photograph of the Adam Black Statue in East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland. Adam Black, born 20 February 1784, died 24 January 1874, was twice Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and represented the city in parliament from 1856 to 1865. He was was born in Charles Street, Edinburgh, the son of a builder, and educated at the High School and the University of Edinburgh. After serving as an apprentice to Mr Fairbairn, an Edinburgh bookseller. He began business for himself in Edinburgh in 1808. By 1826 he was recognised as one of the principal booksellers in the city; and a few years later he was joined in business by his nephew Charles. The two most important events connected with the history of the firm were the publication of the 7th, 8th and 9th editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica, and the purchase of the stock and copyright of the Waverley Novels. The copyright of the Encyclopaedia passed into the hands of Adam Black and a few friends in 1827. Black was married to Isabella Tait, born 1796, died 1877. Their children included Charles Bertram Black, born 1821, died 1906, Francis Black, born 1830, died 1892, and Adam William Black, born 1836, died 1898.



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