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An Illuminated Life
An Illuminated Life: Belle Da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege | Heidi Ardizzone
6 posts | 4 read | 39 to read
Examines the secret life of Belle de Costa Greene, who was responsible for shaping the Pierpont Morgan Library collection and who became a luminary in New York high society, describing how the daughter of free people of color invented a Portuguese grandmother to enter white society to take the art world by storm.
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Amie
Amie
An Illuminated Life: Belle Da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege | Heidi Ardizzone
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Pickpick

Belle de Costa Greene, librarian/curator for J.P. Morgan's rare books, manuscripts, & art, was an interesting person & worth knowing about, but this nearly 500 page biography might not appeal to everyone (plus it's is a bit hard to find these days). I skimmed many parts where the details were not interesting to me. The fictionalized account of her story in the novel "The Personal Librarian" might be more interesting to some (I haven't read it).

melissanorr I've been wanting to find a biography of her ever since I saw the fiction work! Thanks for sharing - hopefully I can track down a copy. 3y
38 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Emiller
Emiller
An Illuminated Life: Belle Da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege | Heidi Ardizzone
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I told myself that I was only going to return library books, not check out more. Whoops 😬📚📚📚

Josie This would be me if I used the library for physical books lol I know I would horde and run out of room, so I only borrow Ebooks to save myself lol 7y
Emiller @Josie I do too. I have several from Overdrive to read also. 😁 7y
Josie @Emiller haha you are SERIOUS!!! I only check out one at a time because I tend to forget about them lol 7y
eanderson I've had Raven Black on my TBR forever! I own it, I need to just read it already! 7y
52 likes4 comments
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Lola
Lola
An Illuminated Life: Belle Da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege | Heidi Ardizzone
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@bookriot 's new podcast, Annotated, is excellent. (Although I really wouldn't mind if they got rid if the annoying typewriter clacking they use as theme "music". Or at least take it down a few decibels ?) The latest episode, The World's Most Glamorous Librarian, is fascinating. Go listen. http://bookriot.com/listen/shows/annotated/

Notafraidofwords Seriously, this woman's story was fascinating! 7y
Readingrobin Thx for the review! Think I'll give it a try! 7y
Pruzy Haha, the volume of music might be speaker dependent. I always think the CBC play their music too loud when I wear headphones or with my old kitchen speaker, but when I switched to a new kitchen speaker it was just right 7y
See All 6 Comments
Lola @Pruzy Nope. My irritation is completely based on the fact that it's the annoying sound of a clacking typewriter(s?) punctuated by an irritating return lever BING 😩If I felt any sadness for the loss of old-style typewriters, this podcast has cured me 😂😂😂 7y
Pruzy @Lola You must have not or will not enjoy the movie version of
[tagged book]Atonement
7y
Lola @Pruzy I totally forgot about that! I did love that movie but was much younger and more tolerant when I saw it 😂😂 7y
44 likes6 comments
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LeahBergen
LeahBergen
An Illuminated Life: Belle Da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege | Heidi Ardizzone
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Pickpick

Belle da Costa Greene was one bad-ass librarian. JP Morgan hired her in 1905 to organize his rare book and manuscript collection; she ended up staying on as the director of The Morgan Library for 25 years. She was a woman in what was very much a man's world at the time and also bi-racial. The author digs into Belle's past and uncovers the truth surrounding the rumours of "passing". Check it out ... it's an amazing story. #LibraryLove

BookishFeminist This sounds amazing 8y
mhillis Great review! I'd like to read this 8y
shawnmooney Wow, I didn't know anything about her at all – this book looks awesome! 8y
See All 10 Comments
erzascarletbookgasm Sounds interesting. Makes me want to read it! 8y
LauraBrook Fascinating story, and great review! 8y
ValerieAndBooks Looks interesting! 8y
Hobbinol Great post! The Morgan is a treasure! 8y
Spiderfelt I'm intrigued. 8y
Gulfsidemusing Sounds good... Love the Morgan! 8y
KVanRead Just learned about her on The Morgan Library tour in July. An amazing lady and an amazing place! 8y
70 likes22 stack adds10 comments