The horse known as Black Beauty was named by his first owner's family in Anna Sewell's enduring novel, Black Beauty.
The Naming of Black Beauty
In Anna Sewell's classic 1877 novel, Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions, the protagonist, a beautiful black horse, was not born with the name "Black Beauty." His identity evolved as he did.
How Black Beauty Received His Name
The horse was initially unnamed until he was sold to his first owner. It was this family who thoughtfully bestowed upon him the memorable name.
- Inspiration from a Past Beloved Horse: The family had previously owned and deeply cherished another horse named Beauty. This beloved animal served as the inspiration for the new horse's name.
- Adding a Distinguishing Descriptor: The original Beauty had not been black. To honor their previous pet while accurately describing their new horse's striking coat color, the family decided to add "Black" to the name. This resulted in the distinctive and now famous name, "Black Beauty."
This thoughtful naming process gave the horse an identity that reflected both his lineage of affection within the family and his unique physical characteristic.
Key Facts About Black Beauty's Name
To summarize the origins of his name:
| Aspect of Naming | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who Named Him? | The family of his first owner |
| When Was He Named? | After he was sold to his first owner |
| Inspiration for "Beauty"? | A previously owned and loved horse named "Beauty" |
| Reason for "Black"? | To distinguish him from the previous "Beauty" and reflect his coat color, as the other horse was not black |
| Literary Context | Anna Sewell's novel, Black Beauty (Learn more about the novel) |
This careful naming convention is a small but significant detail in the narrative, highlighting the care and consideration the horse received from his initial benevolent owners.
