Short answers, pulled from the story.
Adam Black and Charles Black established A & C Black in 1807 as a modest bookshop in Edinburgh. The firm began selling religious texts and educational materials before expanding into travel guides and maps by the 1830s.
In 1827, Adam Black purchased the rights to publish the seventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica from Archibald Constable. The company subsequently published the eighth and ninth editions, with the ninth edition selling half a million sets between 1875 and 1889.
A & C Black began publishing Black's Guides in 1839 as a series of travel guides for Victorian travelers. The series included detailed maps and cultural insights, with Sidney Hall's 1840 map of Africa becoming a notable example.
A & C Black began publishing Who's Who in 1849 as an annual directory of notable individuals in British society. The publication became a cornerstone of the company's identity by providing a comprehensive record of prominent figures.
A & C Black published the A. & C. Black Colour Books: Twenty Shilling Series between 1901 and 1921. These high-quality color collectable picture books featured detailed illustrations and vibrant colors on topics ranging from nature to art.
A & C Black was purchased by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc in 2000. Bloomsbury continued producing the company's range of reference works and acquired additional titles such as T. & A. D. Poyser in June 2002.