An Illuminated Life: Bella da Costa Greene’s Journey from Prejudice to Privilege

By Heidi Ardizzone

An Illuminated Life: Bella da Costa Greene’s Journey from Prejudice to Privilege

 

I found of a copy of this book in the Morgan Library bookshop and bought it on the recommendation of the gal behind the counter.  It’s the story of Morgan’s librarian.  It’s fascinating.  Bella Greenwas there the night Morgan hosted (hijacked) all the prominent bankers of the banking coalitions into his library with the understanding that they would not leave before there was a plan in place to halt the Panic of 1907.  Bella ran the notes back and forth between Morgan and the bankers in his library.  When she asked him what the solution was he told he didn’t don’t but did know that if they were in there long enough they would come up with one.