BLACK LOCK, THOMAS (1721-1791)

—Poet, b. near Annan of humble parentage, lost his sight by smallpox when 6 months old. He began to write poetry at the age of 12, and studied for the Church. He was appointed Minister of Kirk cud bright, but was objected to by the parishioners on account of his blindne , and gave up the presentation on receiving an annuity. He then retired to Edinburgh, where he took pupils. He pub. some miscellaneous poems, which are now forgotten, and is chiefly remembered for having written a letter to Burns, which had the effect of di uading him from going to the West Indies. He was made D.D. in 1767. BLACK MORE, SIR RICHARD ( c. 1650, d. 1729). —Poet, one of the Court Physicians to William III. and Anne, wrote several very long and well-intentioned, but dull and tedious, poems, which, though praised by Add is on and Johnson, are now utterly forgotten. They include Prince Arthur , Creation , Redemption , Alfred . As may be imagined, they were the subject of derision by the profaner wits of the day. B. was a succe ful physician and an excellent man.