George Fraser Black


George Fraser Black was a Scottish-born American librarian, historian and linguist. He worked at the New York Public Library for more than three decades, and he was the author of several books about Scottish culture and anthroponymy, gypsies and witchcraft.

Early life

George Fraser Black was born in 1866 in Scotland. He earned a PhD before emigrating to the United States.

Career

Black became a librarian, historian and linguist. He worked at the New York Public Library from 1896 to 1931. He authored several books about Scotland, especially its folklore, witchcraft and surnames, as well as gypsies. In Scotland's Mark on America, Black writes about the contributions made by Americans of Scottish descent, including many presidents.
Black collected books about witchcraft, some of which were later acquired by Fairleigh Dickinson University, followed by Drew University. Among them is a copy of Malleus Maleficarum, co-authored by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger.

Death

Black died on September 7, 1948 in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, where he resided.

Selected works