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Belle Da Costa Greene: A Journey from Prejudice to Privilege

Chandler Ward

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Published in An Illuminated Life: Belle Da Costa Greene S Journey From Prejudice To Privilege

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Early Life and Education

Belle da Costa Greene was born in 1879 in Washington, D.C., to a Portuguese father and an African American mother. Her father abandoned the family when Greene was young, and she was raised by her mother and stepfather. Greene attended public schools in Washington, D.C., and showed a talent for languages and literature. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Smith College, where she majored in English.

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

by Heidi Ardizzone

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	45279 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	592 pages

Early Career

After graduating from Smith College, Greene worked as a teacher and librarian in Washington, D.C. In 1905, she was appointed assistant librarian of the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City. The Pierpont Morgan Library was one of the world's leading collections of rare books and manuscripts, and Greene quickly became an expert in the field.

Prejudice and Discrimination

As an African American woman, Greene faced significant prejudice and discrimination throughout her career. She was often denied access to resources and opportunities that were available to her white colleagues. Despite these obstacles, Greene persevered and continued to excel in her field.

In 1917, Greene was appointed librarian of the Morgan Library. She was the first African American to hold such a position at a major library. As librarian, Greene oversaw the acquisition of some of the most important rare books and manuscripts in the world. She also helped to establish the Morgan Library as a leading center for research and scholarship.

Later Career

Greene retired from the Morgan Library in 1948. After her retirement, she continued to work as a consultant and lecturer. She also wrote several books and articles on rare books and manuscripts.

Greene died in 1950 at the age of 70. She is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City.

Legacy

Belle da Costa Greene was a trailblazing librarian who overcame significant prejudice and discrimination to achieve success in her field. She was a leading expert in rare books and manuscripts and helped to shape the collections of some of the world's most prestigious libraries. Greene's story is an inspiration to all who have faced similar challenges.

In 2016, Greene was inducted into the Library Hall of Fame. She is also the subject of a new biography, "Belle da Costa Greene: A Life in Books" by Stephan Loewenstein.

Additional Resources

* [Belle da Costa Greene: A Life in Books](https://www.npr.org/2016/10/11/497227883/belle-da-costa-greene-a-life-in-books) * [Belle da Costa Greene, the Librarian Who Broke Barriers](https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/belle-da-costa-greene-librarian) * [The Belle da Costa Greene Papers](https://www.amistadresearchcenter.org/collections/belle-da-costa-greene-papers)

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

by Heidi Ardizzone

4.6 out of 5