Based at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, United Kingdom, the prizes were founded in 1919 by Mrs Janet Coats Black in memory of her late husband, James Tait Black, a partner in the publishing house of A & C Black Ltd.
Šotimaa Edinburghi Ülikooli poolt väljaantava auhinna asutas 1919. aastal pr Janet Coats Black oma abikaasa, kirjastuse A & C Black Ltd. partneri, James Tait Blacki mälestuseks.