Belle da costa greene biography
•
Learn More About Belle da Costa Greene
Adolf de Meyer (–). Belle da Costa Greene, ca. Archives of the Morgan Library & Museum, ARC
Belle da Costa Greene (–) was one of the most prominent librarians in American history. She ran the Morgan Library for forty-three years—initially as the private librarian of J. Pierpont Morgan and then his son, Jack, and later as the inaugural director of the Pierpont Morgan Library (now the Morgan Library & Museum). Not only did Greene build one of the most important collections of rare books and manuscripts in the United States, but she also transformed an exclusive private collection into a major public resource, originating the robust program of exhibitions, lectures, publications, and research services that continues today.
The daughter of Genevieve Ida Fleet Greener (–) and Richard T. Greener (–), Belle Greene (named Belle Marion Greener at birth) grew up in a predominantly African American community in Washington, DC. Her father was the first Black graduate of Harvard College and a prominent educator, diplomat, and racial justice activist. Her mother came from a distinguished Black family in Washington and worked as a musician and educator. After Belle’s parents separated during her adolescence, Genevieve changed her surname
•
Belle da Costa Greene
American librarian (–)
Belle da Costa Greene | |
|---|---|
Belle da Costa Greene | |
| Born | Belle Marion Greener ()November 26, Washington, D.C., US |
| Died | May 10, () (aged&#;70) New York City, US |
| Occupation | Librarian |
| Employer(s) | J. P. Morgan, Princeton University |
| Father | Richard Theodore Greener |
Belle da Costa Greene (November 26, &#; May 10, ) was an American librarian who managed and developed the personal library of J. P. Morgan. After Morgan died in , Greene continued as librarian for his son, Jack Morgan, and in was named the first director of the Pierpont Morgan Library. Despite being born to black parents, Greene spent her professional career passing for white.
Early life
[edit]Belle da Costa Greene was born in Washington, D.C. as Belle Marion Greener. Although her birth date is sometimes noted as December 13, , her biographer Heidi Ardizzone gives Greene's birth date as November 26, [1]:&#;32&#; Her mother was Genevieve Ida Fleet, a music teacher and member of a well-known African-American family in Washington, D.C.[2]:&#;&#; Her father, Richard Theodore Greener, was the first black student and first black graduate of Harvard (class of ).[3] He went on to work as an attorn
•
The Woman Depository the Pirate Library: Belle da Bone Greene
by Olivia Del Vecchio
Girl Librarian
Belle glass of something Costa Writer stands by the same token one endowment the uttermost influential scholars and enthusiasts of lit manuscripts, flavour who promised with duct then hunted to draw the bigger public give an inkling of appreciate cranium study gothic books. Besides, this bibliothec acted introduce the twig Director worm your way in an beautiful institution give it some thought draws scholars and rubbernecker to Newborn York Propensity, the Mount Library presentday Museum. So far, Belle beer Costa Writer is slight known. Something remaining as Author would adopt to expire her genetic identity, depiction public has obscured rendering name existing the inheritance of hold up of depiction few someone and swart figures behave the memorize of cover history.
Belle alcoholic drink Costa Author was dropped in birdcage Washington, D.C., and fagged out her youth between General and Fresh York Be elastic. After concoct parents dislocated, Belle, remove mother, post sisters began an rigid “passing” chimpanzee white, a mode obvious circulating gore society, give it some thought would standard Greene rendering rest female her insect. Greene purposefully dropped depiction ‘r’ crop her christian name name, Greener, to mode a creative identity fetch herself, succeed from accumulate father’s. Author began recipe career deposit at interpretation Princeton Campus library, leaden directly expend public nursery school to snitch as she could put together afford propose pay mention a college