WILLIAM BLACK was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, 1841. In early life, he was a close student, and was most attracted by the study of botany. He was early trained for a painter, which possibly aids him greatly in making the beautiful word-pictures we so often find in his writings. Black
was a close observer of nature, and uses natural objects and phenomena to good advantage in his works.
On his book-shelves are found his favorite authors. They are Heine, Alfred de Musset, Thackeray, and George Sand. The particular works of the last two authors which he most admires are "Esmond" and "Consuelo." Marcus Aurelius must not be forgotten as one of his constant literary companions. At the same time, he is a miscellaneous reader. One can see that his books of modern poetry, politics, history, and travel are not merely ornamental. A journalist for some years as well as a novelist, Mr. Black has found it necessary to be thoroughly acquainted with the current literature of his time, as well as with those classic authors of the past whose wisdom and power are the splendid heritage of the present. Upon a table near his fire-place always lie a few books, the latest "Harper's," an American news-paper, etc.
His literary career may be briefly stated as follows: His first essays in literature were some contributions to a Glasgow newspaper on Ruskin, Kingsley, and Carlyle. Then he wrote a series of sketches in imitation of Christopher North for the "Weekly Citizen," the staff of which he subsequently joined, and entered thoroughly into the labors of journalism. In 1864 he went to London with a view to advancement in his profession; two years later, he represented the "Morning Star" as correspondent during the
Prusso-Austrian war. Later he became editor of the "London Review," and afterward assistant editor of the "Daily News," a position he relinquished in 1875 to devote his sole time to fiction, thus picking up the threads of a career he had dropped in 1868, when he published his first novel- "Love or Marriage." He has published the following works: "In Silk Attire," 1868; "A Daughter of Heth," 1871; "The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton," 1872; "Kilmeny" and "Princess of Thule," 1873; "The Maid of Killeena," and "Three Feathers," 1875; "Lady Silverdale's Sweetheart, and Other Stories," 1876. Since 1876, he has published "Madcap Violet," "Green Pastures and Piccadilly," Macleod of Dare," "Sunrise," "Shandon Bells," and "Judith Shakespeare." The last two works were published in "Harper's," in 1882-4. Considering Black's age, the above record is an excellent one. His pen is still busy, and we may expect many noble works from this young Scotch genius.
A little criticism upon the manner of closing one of his novels is thus related by himself: "A short time after the terrible news of the shooting of President Garfield reached this country, a prominent American gentleman, Mr. Carnegie, called upon me, and among other things he said: 'Just be-before I left home I saw President Garfield. Informing him that I was coming to England, he said, "You will see Black; tell him he ought not to have made 'Macleod of Dare' end tragically--life itself is full of tragedy.'' This could only have been a few weeks before he was shot.'" Black acknowledges that Garfield's words, together with the death that followed so soon, made a deep impression upon him. He justifies himself, however, in dealing with the phases of life from his own standpoint, and refuses to be influenced by critics.
A friend of Black thus writes of his personal appearance: "I have been him under most conditions, and have always found him the same pleasant, sympathetic companion, the same thoughtful, unostentatious, quickwitted gentleman. Tightly built, lithe of limb, strong in arm, capable of
real physical endurance, the novelist is nevertheless below the medium height. Short, black hair, a thick brown mustache, a dark hazel eye, a firm month, a square forehead, Black gives you the idea of compact strength--a small parcel, so to speak, well packed."
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Great authors of 19th century literature >