King of the Black Isles is the first book of poems by J. U. Nicolson, an American poet and translator of poetry whose works initially appeared in Chicago-area newspapers during the early 1920s. King of the Black Isles exhibits Nicolson's appreciation for a variety of poetic forms as well as his inspiration in both classical and traditional subjects. Originally published in 1924 and revised and expanded by Nicolson in 1926, King of the Black Isles is the poet's most personal and representative work.