John Black (11 March 1817 – 3 February 1879) was a Scottish-born figure who acted in the politics of both the future Canada and the fledgling Australia. Black resided in the Canadian territories from 1839 until 1854, then returned to Scotland. He resided in New South Wales, on Australia's East Coast, from 1857 to 1861. He returned to England, where he was promptly (April 1862) assigned a post in Assiniboia, remaining in North America until 1870. He returned to Scotland, where he died (at St. Andrews) in 1879 at age 61. Career Black was born in Fife County in Scotland in 1817. He became a lawyer by working as a clerk for seven years in the office of an Edinburgh solicitor, although he never became a member of the bar. Black traveled to the Red River Colony, in what is now the Canadian province of Manitoba in 1839, having been appointed clerk to the General Quarterly Court of Assiniboia. His duties as deputy to Adam Thom, the recorder of Rupert’s Land, were soon superseded by his active employment in the offices of the Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1848 the company appointed him chief trader. In 1850 Black was appointed chief accountant of the Upper Red River district, with residence at Fort Garry (Winnipeg). The governor had appointed him unwillingly, and continued to look for a more suitable candidate. On 21 July 1852 Black lost his post as chief accountant. Black left the company and 1854 and returned to Scotland. He moved to Australia in 1857, and promptly became engaged in the newly-formed Parliament of New South Wales. Black was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1859 to 1860, representing the seat of East Sydney. He had moved to New South Wales in 1857 and was Chairman of the newly-formed Land League. He was Secretary of Lands from 27 October 1859 to 8 March 1860 in William Forster's administration. He retired from the Assembly in 1860 and returned to England in 1861. In the spring of 1861 Black was appointed president of the General Quarterly Court of Assiniboia. He was assuming what had previously been the office of recorder; the title was changed to allow his appointment, since he had never been a member of the bar. On 4 June 1862 the new president was introduced to the Council of Assiniboia. He presided over the tribunal at