A & C Black
Charles Black and Adam Black opened a small bookshop in Edinburgh on the 1st of January 1807. They began by selling religious texts and schoolbooks to local students. The brothers quickly expanded their inventory to include travel literature and historical accounts. In 1851, they purchased the copyrights to Sir Walter Scott's Waverly novels for £27,000. This acquisition marked a significant shift from general bookselling to major literary publishing. The firm moved its operations to the Soho district of London in 1889. This relocation placed them at the heart of Britain's publishing industry.
The company published the seventh edition of Encyclopædia Britannica starting in 1827. Archibald Constable had failed to complete this edition before his business collapsed. Adam Black took over the project and oversaw the eighth and ninth editions until 1903. Adam Black retired in 1870 because he disagreed with his sons' ambitious plans for the final volume. Despite his departure, the ninth edition sold half a million sets between 1875 and 1889. These volumes were released in twenty-four parts over fourteen years. The commercial success of this encyclopedia established A & C Black as a dominant force in reference publishing during the Victorian era.
Beginning in 1839, the firm published a series of travel guides known as Black's Guides. They also issued Who's Who annually since 1849. This publication listed prominent British citizens and their biographical details. The company acquired Whitaker's Almanack in 2002 after Bloomsbury Publishing purchased the parent firm. Other notable works include Black's Medical Dictionary and the Know The Game series of sports rules. Sidney Hall's 1840 map of Africa appeared under their imprint. These publications demonstrated the company's commitment to practical information for educated readers.
In 1989 A & C Black purchased Christopher Helm Publishers and later the Pica Press. These acquisitions added identification guides to their catalog. In June 2002, T. & A. D. Poyser and their back-list of around 70 ornithology titles were acquired from Elsevier Science. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc bought A & C Black in 2000. The parent company continued producing the former's range of reference works. A & C Black purchased Methuen Drama from Methuen Publishing in 2006. They acquired Arden Shakespeare from Cengage Learning in 2008. In 2016, A & C Black Music list moved to Collins Learning, a division of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
Common questions
When did Charles Black and Adam Black open A & C Black?
Charles Black and Adam Black opened a small bookshop in Edinburgh on the 1st of January 1807. They began by selling religious texts and schoolbooks to local students before expanding their inventory.
What major literary acquisition did A & C Black make in 1851?
In 1851, they purchased the copyrights to Sir Walter Scott's Waverly novels for £27,000. This acquisition marked a significant shift from general bookselling to major literary publishing.
Which encyclopedia editions did Adam Black oversee for A & C Black?
Adam Black took over the project and oversaw the eighth and ninth editions until 1903. The ninth edition sold half a million sets between 1875 and 1889 despite his departure in 1870.
What reference works did A & C Black publish starting in 1839?
Beginning in 1839, the firm published a series of travel guides known as Black's Guides. They also issued Who's Who annually since 1849 to list prominent British citizens and their biographical details.
When did Bloomsbury Publishing Plc buy A & C Black?
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc bought A & C Black in 2000. The parent company continued producing the former's range of reference works after acquiring Whitaker's Almanack in 2002.