William Black was a Canadian shipper, merchant, and office-holder born in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Black grew up and was educated in Scotland. He immigrated to New Brunswick

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...

 in 1798 work with his brother John

John Black (New Brunswick merchant)

John Black was a Scottish-born merchant and politician in New Brunswick. He represented Northumberland in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1793 to 1795....

, an established shipping and timber export merchant. By 1808 he was managing their timber trade in Saint John while his brother opened a new office in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In a few years they had the largest business enterprises in British North America. They both married daughters of Christopher Billopp, a leading an influential businessman and member of the Legislative Council of New Brunswick

Legislative Council of New Brunswick

The Legislative Council of New Brunswick was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, between 1785 and 1891. Members were appointed by the New Brunswick lieutenant governor.-External links:*...

.

Black was appointed to the Council in 1817 by George Stracey Smyth

George Stracey Smyth

George Stracey Smyth was a British army officer and Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick.Born in England, he was appointed an ensign in the East Norfolk Regiment of Militia in 1779. He joined the army as an ensign in the 25th Foot in 1780...

, the Lieutenant Governor. He eventually achieved the position of president of the council.