He was born in Tomgarrow, Perthshire, Scotland on 10 May 1835,[2] the eldest of seven children of David, quarrier and farmer, and Margaret (née Gow).

[2] After teaching at Liff Free Church School he attended Moray House Training College and then the University of Edinburgh, from where Black graduated MA in 1864, BSc in 1867 and DSc in 1869.

In his introductory lecture at the University Black claimed that one of the aims of a scientific education was to enable a person ”to produce a pound of corn, or wool, or iron, or gold, at half the expenditure which it previously cost”.

His style was lucid, forceful and tinged with humour; his lecture demonstrations fascinating, sometimes to the point of appearing magical; his enthusiasm contagious.

He addressed numerous audiences: students, teachers – many of whom travelled considerable distances to attend his Saturday morning classes, miners and the general public.James Gow Black married Jeannie Crichton on 25 August 1869 in Edinburgh.