Barbara Aronstein Black

Barbara Aronstein Black was a renowned American legal scholar, specializing in the field of history. Born in 1933, she went on to have a distinguished career, marked by several notable achievements. Her expertise in legal history led to her appointment as the George Wellwood Murray Professor of Legal History at Columbia, a position that underscored her academic prowess.

Black's career reached a milestone in 1986 when she became the dean of Columbia Law School, a feat that made her the first woman to hold such a position at an Ivy League law school. This appointment not only highlighted her own capabilities as a leader and scholar but also paved the way for future generations of women in legal academia. Throughout her life, Black remained a significant figure in her field, leaving a lasting impact until her passing in 2026.