William Black
Encyclopedia
William Black was a novelist born in Glasgow
, Scotland
. During his own lifetime Black's novels were immensely popular, and were compared favourably with those of Anthony Trollope
. However, his fame and popularity did not survive long into the twentieth century.
At the age of twenty-three he went to London, after some experience with Glasgow journalism, and joined the staff of The Morning Star, and, later, the Daily News, of which journal he became assistant-editor. He wrote a weekly serial in "The Graphic
". During the Austro-Prussian War he acted as a war correspondent.
His first novel, James Merle, appeared during 1864, and had little success. Black later disowned the novel and reputedly bought copies to destroy them. Two further early novels Love or Marriage (1868) and The Monarch of Mincing Lane (1871) did little to advance his career: and all three were omitted from the collected edition of Black's works issued by the publishing firm Sampson Low from 1892.
It was the publication of A Daughter of Heth
during 1871 that at once established his popularity. It is the story of a young girl brought up in Catholic France, who comes to live with her more austere Protestant relatives in southern Scotland, and ends with personal tragedy. The travel story The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton followed during 1872, and during 1874 A Princess of Thule was another big success and was later adapted into a musical play, The Maid of Arran
, by a young L. Frank Baum
.
Retiring from journalism the next year he devoted himself entirely to fiction. Several collections of short stories and a further 22 novels followed; the last -- Wild Eelin -- during 1898, just before his death on 10 December of that year.
During his own lifetime Black's novels were immensely popular, and were compared favourably with those of Anthony Trollope
, though some critics complained that his writings revealed too much his interest in hunting
and fishing
. However, his fame and popularity did not survive long into the twentieth century. His works were bootlegged in the United States
, not being protected by copyright laws. He teamed with such well-known authors as Rudyard Kipling
, Thomas Hardy
, and Walter Besant
to abolish this procedure, resulting in the passing of new laws during 1891, but unlike the others, he held no grudge against those who sold unauthorized copies of his books while it was legal to do so, which made relations easier and friendlier between him and his American publishers. Baum's play was written without regard to copyright courtesy when such was legal: it is uncertain if Black was even aware of its existence, as Reid never mentions it in his biography.
Among his later novels may be mentioned two further "tragic" tales: Madcap Violet (1876) and Macleod of Dare (1879); Sunrise (1881) a novel of international political intrigue; Shandon Bells (1883) largely set in Ireland; Yolande (1883) which in part deals with drug addiction; Judith Shakespeare (1884) a historical novel featuring the playwright's daughter
; and The New Prince Fortunatus (1890) a novel of London theatrical life. Friendship with actor Mary Anderson
resulted in him stage acting twice, with mute roles known as "thinkers" (in Romeo and Juliet
and The Winter's Tale
), but his nervousness interrupted the performance.
Black also produced the volume Goldsmith (1878) for Morley's English Men of Letters series.
Black is remembered by a lighthouse built in the form of a Gothic tower "on a spot that he knew and loved, by his friends and admirers from all over the world," as recorded on a carved plaque over the door. The building was erected during 1901 and is still in use as a lighthouse. It stands a mile or so south of Duart Castle, at the eastern extremity of the Isle of Mull.
A collection of sketch-stories, including portions of the suppressed James Merle were published posthumously as With the Eyes of Youth, and Other Sketches (1903).
He first met his second wife, Eva Simpson, daughter of Wharton Simpson, a fellow journalist and fellow member of Whitefriars Club, in 1869. He saw her again during 1872 and used her as the basis for Bell in The Phaeton. They were married during April 1874 and she was still alive when Wemyss Reid
, who had offered Black a contributor's role on the Leeds Mercury
, published his biography.
From 1879 until his death he lived at 1 Paston Place, Brighton
.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. During his own lifetime Black's novels were immensely popular, and were compared favourably with those of Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire...
. However, his fame and popularity did not survive long into the twentieth century.
Biography
William was born to James Black and his second wife Caroline Conning. He was educated to be a landscape painter, a training that influenced his literary life, and as a writer he became celebrated for the detailed and atmospheric descriptions of landscapes and seascapes in novels such as White Wings: A Yachting Romance (1880).At the age of twenty-three he went to London, after some experience with Glasgow journalism, and joined the staff of The Morning Star, and, later, the Daily News, of which journal he became assistant-editor. He wrote a weekly serial in "The Graphic
The Graphic
The Graphic was a British weekly illustrated newspaper, first published on 4 December 1869 by William Luson Thomas's company Illustrated Newspapers Limited....
". During the Austro-Prussian War he acted as a war correspondent.
His first novel, James Merle, appeared during 1864, and had little success. Black later disowned the novel and reputedly bought copies to destroy them. Two further early novels Love or Marriage (1868) and The Monarch of Mincing Lane (1871) did little to advance his career: and all three were omitted from the collected edition of Black's works issued by the publishing firm Sampson Low from 1892.
It was the publication of A Daughter of Heth
A Daughter of Heth
A Daughter of Heth is a novel by William Black, first published in 3 volumes by Sampson Low in 1871. It established Black's reputation as a novelist.-Plot summary:...
during 1871 that at once established his popularity. It is the story of a young girl brought up in Catholic France, who comes to live with her more austere Protestant relatives in southern Scotland, and ends with personal tragedy. The travel story The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton followed during 1872, and during 1874 A Princess of Thule was another big success and was later adapted into a musical play, The Maid of Arran
The Maid of Arran
The Maid of Arran, An Idyllic Irish Drama Written for the People, Irrespective of Caste or Nationality is an 1882 musical play by L. Frank Baum, writing and performing under the pseudonym, "Louis F. Baum", based on the novel A Princess of Thule by William Black...
, by a young L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
.
Retiring from journalism the next year he devoted himself entirely to fiction. Several collections of short stories and a further 22 novels followed; the last -- Wild Eelin -- during 1898, just before his death on 10 December of that year.
During his own lifetime Black's novels were immensely popular, and were compared favourably with those of Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire...
, though some critics complained that his writings revealed too much his interest in hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. However, his fame and popularity did not survive long into the twentieth century. His works were bootlegged in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, not being protected by copyright laws. He teamed with such well-known authors as Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
, Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy, OM was an English novelist and poet. While his works typically belong to the Naturalism movement, several poems display elements of the previous Romantic and Enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural.While he regarded himself primarily as a...
, and Walter Besant
Walter Besant
Sir Walter Besant , was a novelist and historian who lived largely in London.His sister-in-law was Annie Besant.-Biography:...
to abolish this procedure, resulting in the passing of new laws during 1891, but unlike the others, he held no grudge against those who sold unauthorized copies of his books while it was legal to do so, which made relations easier and friendlier between him and his American publishers. Baum's play was written without regard to copyright courtesy when such was legal: it is uncertain if Black was even aware of its existence, as Reid never mentions it in his biography.
Among his later novels may be mentioned two further "tragic" tales: Madcap Violet (1876) and Macleod of Dare (1879); Sunrise (1881) a novel of international political intrigue; Shandon Bells (1883) largely set in Ireland; Yolande (1883) which in part deals with drug addiction; Judith Shakespeare (1884) a historical novel featuring the playwright's daughter
Judith Quiney
Judith Quiney , née Shakespeare, was the youngest daughter of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. She married Thomas Quiney, a vintner of Stratford-upon-Avon. The circumstances of the marriage, including Quiney's misconduct, may have prompted the rewriting of Shakespeare's will...
; and The New Prince Fortunatus (1890) a novel of London theatrical life. Friendship with actor Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson (stage actress)
Mary Anderson was an American stage actress.-Early life:...
resulted in him stage acting twice, with mute roles known as "thinkers" (in Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
and The Winter's Tale
The Winter's Tale
The Winter's Tale is a play by William Shakespeare, originally published in the First Folio of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, some modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. Some critics, among them W. W...
), but his nervousness interrupted the performance.
Black is remembered by a lighthouse built in the form of a Gothic tower "on a spot that he knew and loved, by his friends and admirers from all over the world," as recorded on a carved plaque over the door. The building was erected during 1901 and is still in use as a lighthouse. It stands a mile or so south of Duart Castle, at the eastern extremity of the Isle of Mull.
A collection of sketch-stories, including portions of the suppressed James Merle were published posthumously as With the Eyes of Youth, and Other Sketches (1903).
Family
Black's first wife, Augustus Wenzel, died on 14 May 1866 of a fever contracted not long after the birth of their son, Martin. They had only been married since 8 April 1865. Martin would die on 29 March 1871.He first met his second wife, Eva Simpson, daughter of Wharton Simpson, a fellow journalist and fellow member of Whitefriars Club, in 1869. He saw her again during 1872 and used her as the basis for Bell in The Phaeton. They were married during April 1874 and she was still alive when Wemyss Reid
Thomas Wemyss Reid
Sir Thomas Wemyss Reid was a British newspaper editor, novelist and biographer.-Career:He became chief reporter on the Newcastle Journal aged 19...
, who had offered Black a contributor's role on the Leeds Mercury
Leeds Mercury
The Leeds Mercury was a newspaper in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was published from 1718 to 1755 and again from 1767. Initially it consisted of 12 pages and cost three halfpennies. In 1794 it had a circulation of about 3,000 copies, and in 1797 the cost rose to sixpence because of increased...
, published his biography.
From 1879 until his death he lived at 1 Paston Place, Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
.
External links
(plain text and HTML)- Works by or about William Black at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
(scanned books original editions color illustrated) - William Black Photograph part of the Nineteenth Century Notables Digital Collection at Gettysburg College