"Belle da Costa Greene chronicles the fascinating life of the first director of the Morgan Library, which opened to the public in 1924 to showcase the rare books, manuscripts and art collected by John Pierpont Morgan. Working closely with Morgan for 43 years as a librarian and curator, Greene played a critical role in acquiring precious works on his behalf. Through essays, research, portraits and more, the book not only delves into the history of New York’s Gilded Age, but also the complexities of race and gender, as Greene was born to a prominent Black family, but spent much of her career passing as white. The publication of the book coincides with a major exhibition at the Morgan Library celebrating her life and work."