Blacklock, Thomas, a clergyman, born in Annan, blind from early infancy; after occupying a charge for two years, set up as a teacher in Edinburgh; was influential in inducing Burns to abandon his intention to emigrate, and may be credited, therefore, with saving for his country and humanity at large one of the most gifted of his country's sons (1721‒1791).
Definition taken from The Nuttall Encyclopædia, edited by the Reverend James Wood (1907)
Blackie, John Stuart * Blackmore, Richard Doddridge