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.
