Abstract
UNDER the title of “Joseph Black: His Belfast Friends and Family Connections” Mr. Henry Riddell has recently published in the Proceedings of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society (vol. iii., 1919–20, p. 49) an interesting account of Joseph Black's connection with Belfast. As is well known, the famous chemist was born at Bordeaux, where his father, John Black, was a factor and wine merchant, but his ancestors for many generations back were Ulstermen, and he himself received his school education either in the old Latin School in Belfast, endowed by Earl Donegall in 1666, or at the hands of a Mr. Sprott, a schoolmaster of repute in that city. Up to the age of twelve Black was educated by his mother, Margaret Gordon, who is described as a woman of great force of character and many accomplishments. She was the daughter of Robert Gordon, a merchant of Aberdeen, and was married to John Black in 1716, by whom she had issue eight sons and five daughters, Joseph Black, who was born in 1728, being the fourth son.
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THORPE, T. Joseph Black and Belfast. Nature 106, 165 (1920). https://doi.org/10.1038/106165a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/106165a0