An illuminated life : Belle da Costa Greene's journey from prejudice to privilege
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (p. [543]-547) and index.

The secret life of the sensational woman behind the Morgan masterpieces, who lit up New York society. What would you give up to achieve your dream? When J. P. Morgan hired Belle da Costa Greene in 1905 to organize his rare book and manuscript collection, she had only her personality and a few years of experience to recommend her. Ten years later, she had shaped the famous Pierpont Morgan Library collection and was a celebrity in New York and the art world, renowned for her self-made expertise, her acerbic wit, and her flirtatious relationships. Born to a family of people of color, Greene changed her name and invented a Portuguese grandmother to enter white society. In her new world, she dined at the tables of the highest society and with bohemian artists and activists, and engaged in a decades-long affair with art critic Bernard Berenson.--From publisher description.