A.& C. Black was founded by Adam Black (1784 – 1874) a publisher and politician. He opened a bookshop in 1807 in Edinburgh. He took his nephew, Charles Black (1834-1854), into partnership with him in his publishing business, establishing A. & C. Black in 1834.
In addition to the publishing of renowned atlases, the firm also held the rights to the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Sir Walter Scott’s works. Adam Black retired in 1870, his three younger sons, James Tait Black (1826-1911), Francis Black (1830-1892) and Adam William Black (1836-1898), who were already in the business, took over the firm.
A. & C. Black moved to Soho Square, London in 1889.
