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The personal librarian  Cover Image Large Print Book Large Print Book

The personal librarian / Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

Summary:
THE REMARKABLE STORY OF J. P. MORGAN'S PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, BELLE DA COSTA GREENE, THE BLACK AMERICAN WOMAN WHO WAS FORCED TO HIDE HER TRUE IDENTITY AND PASS AS WHITE TO LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY THAT ENRICHED OUR NATION. In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society 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 create 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 a 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 to -- 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 book's back.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780593414248
  • ISBN: 0593414241
  • ISBN: 9781648383304
  • ISBN: 1648383300
  • Physical Description: 482 pages (large print) ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First large print edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Random House Large Print, [2021].
Subject: Greene, Belle da Costa > Fiction.
Pierpont Morgan Library > Fiction.
African American women > Fiction.
Women librarians > Fiction.
Passing (Identity) > Fiction.
Racism against Black people > United States > Fiction.
New York (N.Y.) > History > 1898-1951 > Fiction.
Genre: Biographical fiction.
Historical fiction.
Novels.
Large type books.

Available copies

  • 10 of 23 copies available at SPARK Libraries.

Holds

  • 2 current holds with 23 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Abington Community Library LARGE TYPE BENEDIC (Text) 50687011734335 Adult Fiction Checked Out 04/16/2024
Albright Memorial Library LARGE TYPE BENEDIC (Text) 50686016069101 Adult Fiction Checked Out 04/19/2024
Annie Halenbake Ross Library LP F Ben (Text) 00150042 ADULT Large Print Fiction Checked Out 07/25/2024
Bernville Area Community Library BEN (Text) 33249023878709 Large Print Fiction Available -
Bethel Tulpehocken Public Library FC BEN BCPL FLOATING COLLECTION (Text) 33249020882019 Large Print Fiction Available -
Boyertown Community Library BEN (Text) 33249024823134 Large Print Fiction Available -
Ellwood City Area Public Library LT F Benedict (Text) 32102000908596 ECAM Fiction Large-Print Available -
Emmaus Public Library LT FIC BENE (Text) 36446002102229 Large Print Fiction Available -
Exeter Community Library BEN (Text) 33249024799169 Large Print Fiction Checked Out 04/10/2024
Hastings Public Library FIC BEN (Text) 31814400711815 Stacks Available -


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