Summary
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray details the life of Belle da Costa Greene, a Black woman who passes as white to become J.P. Morgan's personal librarian. In New York City during the Gilded Age, a period marked by racial and societal constraints, Belle adopts a Portuguese identity to access elite circles. At the Pierpont Morgan Library, her curation skills and aesthetic sensibility position her as a significant influencer in the art and literary arenas. The story explores Belle's navigation through a segregated, narrow-minded society and the intellect, ambition, and secrecy that allowed her to overcome systemic barriers to her success.
Plot
In the early 20th century, Belle da Costa Greene, daughter of Black civil rights activist Richard Greener, secures a position as personal librarian for J. P. Morgan on the strength of her knowledge and aesthetic sensibilities, and by passing as white. At the Pierpont Morgan Library, Belle curates Morgan’s collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork while maintaining her fabricated Portuguese identity. Her considerable achievements are underscored by the constant risk of her African American heritage being exposed.
Belle excels in the male-dominated fields of rare books and art collections by using her intellect and charisma. She faces professional opportunities and racial prejudice. Her personal life includes a complex relationship with Bernard Berenson, a respected art historian and a white Jewish man. Along with societal challenges, their romance becomes a source of personal torment for Belle after an unexpected pregnancy, which Bernard nonchalantly dismisses, leads to a secret abortion.
Belle’s interactions with J.P. Morgan are influenced by his subtle advances, affecting both personal and professional dynamics. Her secret is further threatened when Anne Morgan, J. P.'s daughter, questions Belle’s background, which intensifies societal tensions. Belle’s involvement in European and New York elite circles increases these risks.
After J. P. Morgan's death, his son Jack Morgan takes over the library. He supports Belle’s vision to make the private collection public, establishing her legacy within high society. The novel ends with Belle destroying her private letters, reflecting on her sacrifices and triumphs, and envisaging a future where her legacy is truthfully recognized.
Themes
The Personal Librarian explores themes including racial identity and societal power dynamics. Belle da Costa Greene's life exemplifies the struggles of a Black woman passing as white. Her experiences address the tension between maintaining her career and managing personal conflict. The book also examines feminism, as Greene challenges societal norms to succeed in a male-dominated environment. Within J. P. Morgan's affluent circles, she navigates the complexities of influence and control, with power often linked to strategic manipulation. Belle’s journey involves personal sacrifice as she manages societal expectations, job demands, and family commitments, all while keeping her African American heritage hidden.
Quick facts
Belle da Costa Greene was J.P. Morgan's personal librarian who passed as white to navigate a racist society.
The Personal Librarian is a collaboration between bestselling authors Marie Benedict, who is white, and Victoria Christopher Murray, who is African American.
Belle da Costa Greene was the daughter of Richard Greener, Harvard's first Black graduate; her birth name was Belle Marion Greener.
Belle played a crucial role in shaping and curating the renowned Pierpont Morgan Library as well as convincing J. P. Morgan's son to establish it as a public institution.
The Personal Librarian portrays the opulent world of New York society and competitive auction houses of Europe.
The novel was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Historical Fiction.
J.P. Morgan left Belle $50,000 in his will, securing her family's financial future.
Belle da Costa Greene became one of the most powerful women in New York, significantly influencing the art and book world.
Belle burned all her personal correspondence before her death to protect the secret of her racial identity.
The novel's historical relevance and themes of racial identity and gender remain significant issues in the 21st century.
In October 2024, the Morgan Library and Museum celebrated its centennial with the opening of an exhibit called “A Librarian’s Legacy,” dedicated to Belle da Costa Greene.
Key characters
Belle da Costa Greene: The protagonist, Belle da Costa Greene secures a role as J. P. Morgan's personal librarian. Her identity as a Black woman passing as white reflects the challenges she faces in gaining professional esteem within a segregated, racist society.
J. P. Morgan: A financial titan, Morgan hires Belle for her expertise. He serves as both a mentor and an authority figure, symbolizing her access to the elite circles she aims to join.
Genevieve Fleet: Belle’s mother, Genevieve guides her daughter in assuming a white identity to navigate racial prejudices. This dual existence illustrates the compromises required for protection and advancement.
Richard Greener: Belle's father, Richard is a prominent Black civil rights advocate and Harvard's first Black graduate. His values influence Belle's understanding and navigation of her racial identity.
Bernard Berenson: An art historian, Berenson becomes romantically involved with Belle. His white, Jewish background and unconventional marriage add complexity to their relationship, affecting her personal and professional choices.
Anne Morgan: J. P. Morgan's daughter, Anne grapples with skepticism about Belle’s heritage while facing challenges in a patriarchal society. Her doubts contribute to the tensions in Belle’s life.
Jack Morgan: J. P. Morgan's son, Jack inherits the library. He allows Belle to transform it into a public institution, enabling her to cement her legacy in art and literature.
Historical context
The Personal Librarian focuses on the early 20th-century American socio-political climate, addressing racial passing, societal roles, and the Gilded Age's opulence. This era saw significant racial divides alongside the Harlem Renaissance's influence. Belle da Costa Greene must conceal her true identity to succeed in J. P. Morgan's elite circles, reflecting African Americans' struggles for advancement amid racial inequality. Wealth and social pedigree defined the Gilded Age, presenting Greene with challenges and opportunities. Her legacy includes personal sacrifices and determination to achieve professional success within restrictive systems.
Real-Life legacy of Belle da Costa Greene
Belle da Costa Greene played a significant role in librarianship and cultural preservation through her work with J. P. Morgan's collection. She helped transition Morgan's private collection of books and artwork into the public Pierpont Morgan Library, a leading New York and American institution. Greene developed exhibitions, lectures, and research services, which enabled public access to rare books and manuscripts. Her strategic acquisitions and enhancements advanced the library's status. As an African American woman, Greene contributed to public access and mentored future librarians, leaving a lasting impact on the library community.
About the author
Marie Benedict is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction dedicated to telling the stories and celebrating the accomplishments of significant yet undersung women in fields and societies dominated by men. Her novels include The Other Einstein, revealing the contributions of Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein’s first wife; Carnegie’s Maid, focusing on Clara Kelley, a poor farmer’s daughter who inspired the world’s first true philanthropist; and The Only Woman in the Room, shedding light on the technical genius of inventor and film star Hedy Lamarr. She is also the coauthor with Victoria Christopher Murray of The Personal Librarian, a tribute to the intellect, taste, ambition, and sacrifice of Belle da Costa Greene, a Black woman who passed as white to achieve success as the curator of the Pierpont Morgan Library.
Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including The Ex Files and Lady Jasmine. In addition to multiple African American Literary Awards, she won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.
