BLACKWOOD, WILLIAM, a distinguished Edinburgh publisher, the originator of Black,uood's Magazine, was b. in Edinburgh, Nov. 20, 1776. After serving his appren ticeship to the bookselling business in his native city, and prosecuting his calling in Glasgow and London, he settled in Edinburgh as it bookseller—principally of old books —in 1804. In 1817, at which time he had become a publisher on his own account, he issued the first number of Blackwoofl's 3fagazine. The literary ability displayed in this periodical was so much in advance of the monthly magazines then existing, that from ti:e first it was a great success. Its remarkable popularity was sustained by the papers of John Wilson (q.v.) and J. G. Lockhart (q.v.), also of James Hogg (q.v.), and other spirits, whom B. had the liberality and tact to attract to his standard. Overwhelming its political and literary opponents, now with the most farcical humor, and now with the bitterest sarcasm—sometimes with reckless injustice—the magazine secured for itself a prodigious reputation, more particularly among the tories, of whose political creed it has always been a resolute adherent. We believe it can hardly be said that, Blacklrood's
Magazine has ever had any distinct editor. William Blackwood himself. who added lit erary tastes and acquirements to his profession of a bookseller, was the chief manager of his magazine, and conducted the whole of the correspondence connected with it until his death, which took place Sept. 16, mi. Under his sons, the Messrs. 11., who suc ceeded him in the business, Maga has nut only sustained but increased its reputation; the places of its old contributors are supplied by many of the most distinguished men of let ters in the country. In the conduct, of the magazine, the hate prof. W. E. Ayteun was understood to occupy a position in relation to the publishers somewhat analogous to that which Wilson held their father. The publishing business, which includes that of printing the works issued, has been greatly extended by the Messrs. B., who have a name second to none in the kingdom.