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The personal librarian Cover Image Book Book

The personal librarian Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

Summary:

"The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian-who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray. In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. Pierpont Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white-her complexion is dark because she is African American. The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go-for the protection of her family and her legacy-to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives"-- Provided by publisher.
In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. Pierpont Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret: she was born Belle Marion Greener, daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and well-known advocate for equality. Belle's alleged Portuguese heritage lets her pass as white, but she will go through great lengths to preserve her carefully crafted identity in a racist world. -- adapted from jacket

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780593101537
  • ISBN: 0593101537
  • Physical Description: 341 pages ; 24 cm
  • Publisher: New York : Berkley, [2021]
Subject: Greene, Belle da Costa > Fiction.
African American women librarians > Biography > Fiction.
Passing (Identity) > Fiction.
New York (N.Y) > History > 1898-1951 > Fiction.
Greene, Belle da Costa.
Passing (Identity)
African American women librarians.
Genre: Historical fiction.
Biographical fiction.
Fiction.
Biographical fiction.
Biographical fiction.
Historical fiction.

Available copies

  • 1 of 1 copy available at State Library of Alabama.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
APLS 813.6 BEN 31291002944716 Stacks Available -


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