Black, William (1841-1898), a Scottish novelist. He was a native of Glasgow. He acquired his facility with the pen in writing for Glasgow newspapers and in reporting the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 for the London Morning Star. He wrote a large number of novels. The more noted are perhaps A Daughter of Heth, The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton, A Princess of Thule, Madcap Violet, Macleod of Dare, White Wings, and In Far Lochaber. His admirers would doubtless include others. The scene of several tales is laid in the extreme northern part of Scotland and in the western isles. Black is an interesting writer. His novels are well worth reading, but he is no such wizard as Sir Walter Scott. He describes wild scenery, the fishers, boats, and village life well; but his writing seems to be that of a summer tourist, rather than of one who has lived among the people. Whatever he may say of folk lore or of antiquities is the result apparently of information picked up carelessly. It is never a part of himself.