This historical fiction novel is loosely based on the little-known story of Belle de Costa Greene (aka Belle Marion Greener), personal librarian to J. Pierpont Morgan beginning in 1905. Belle and J.P. made a remarkable duo as they acquired books, art and rare manuscripts for his personal collection in the newly built Morgan Library which would eventually open to the public. Belle was a unique and powerful woman ahead of her time - she was a fixture in New York society, yet held a vital and dangerous secret about her true heritage as she passed as a white woman in a white male dominated world. Belle’s own family was divided about “passing” and its implications. The Personal Librarian was co-authored by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, who became good friends as they wrote it during recent pandemic times. This book is also available in CD audio.
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