Loving by the Book
July 25 @ 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
A Visionary Librarian’s Secret Life: Uncovering Belle da Costa Greene’s Letters
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Step into the world of one of the most powerful figures in art and literature of the 20th century in a compelling virtual talk, “Loving by the Book: Belle da Costa Greene’s Letters to Bernard Berenson.” Join the discussion on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM, presented in partnership with the Library of Virginia.
This online event features author Deborah Parker, Professor of Italian Emerita at the University of Virginia and the distinguished recipient of the 2025 Art in Literature: The Mary Lynn Kotz Award. The prestigious award, presented annually by the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, recognizes an outstanding book that celebrates the relationship between art and the written word.
Parker will discuss her award-winning book, “Becoming Belle da Costa Greene: A Visionary Librarian Through Her Letters.” The book unveils the fascinating life of Belle da Costa Greene, the brilliant and fiercely intelligent personal librarian to financier J. Pierpont Morgan and the first director of the Morgan Library & Museum. With Morgan’s immense wealth, Greene masterfully built one of the world’s most significant collections of rare books, manuscripts, and art, shaping a cultural landmark that endures to this day.
Yet, Greene held a profound secret: she was a Black woman who “passed” for white to navigate the racially segregated and prejudiced world of her time. As the daughter of Richard T. Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard University, Belle crafted a new identity for herself, claiming a Portuguese background to explain her olive complexion.
This talk will delve into Greene’s vibrant inner world through her prolific and intimate correspondence with the renowned art historian Bernard Berenson. In nearly six hundred surviving letters, Greene reveals her sharp wit, her passionate responses to art and literature, and the imaginative self-invention that defined her life. Parker will illuminate how Greene’s letters showcase not just her pathbreaking work as a librarian and connoisseur, but also the energetic pursuit of a life of exceptional opportunity against all odds.
As New York Times contributor John McWhorter notes, Greene’s letters reveal “an indefatigably witty, puckish soul who savored books and art, had an active social life and loved gossip and a good story.”
This free virtual event is a must for anyone interested in art history, literature, Black history, and the story of a woman who defied the constraints of her era to become a titan of the cultural world.
Registration is required. Secure your spot for this free online talk through the event registration page.
https://www.vabook.org/events/2025/07/becoming-belle-da-costa-greene/