An Illuminated Life: Belle da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege

In 1905, when J. P. Morgan hired Belle da Costa Greene to organize his rare book collection, she had only her personality and a few years' experience to recommend her. Soon she was shaping his world-renowned collection of rare books and art. This biography follows the brilliant and flamboyant Greene through her early concealment of her African-American heritage, her rise to success, influence, and prosperity, and her affairs with important men of the day.