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Nicholette
https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandher...
Belle’s family background was first discovered in 1999. Please see the attached link for details. This discovery was not addressed in The Personal Librarian, not even in the Historical Notes, which I feel was a huge and surprising oversight, especially given the high quality of research in the book. As a reader, I was continually wondering, how did the authors get this information? How did this become known if Belle went to such lengths to hide her heritage?
Belle’s family background was first discovered in 1999. Please see the attached link for details. This discovery was not addressed in The Personal Librarian, not even in the Historical Notes, which I feel was a huge and surprising oversight, especially given the high quality of research in the book. As a reader, I was continually wondering, how did the authors get this information? How did this become known if Belle went to such lengths to hide her heritage?
Hillsullivan
I actually found the answer to this - it was discovered Belle was black after her death by historians/biographers.
Anna
I found this: "1999, when J.P. Morgan biographer Jean Strouse found Belle Greener’s 1879 birth certificate, which lists Richard Greener as her father." See https://www.historynet.com/belle-da-c...
Michelle Boyer
In the novel, in the first few pages the parents are arguing over the census. The father is upset that the mother marked 'white' on the Census when the family has black heritage. Thus, Belle has black heritage.
In reality, I know that the Morgan Library openly discusses Belle's heritage. (https://www.themorgan.org/belle-greene) Her father was the first Black graduate of Harvard College. But the family (once the father left) would continue to 'pass' as white.
In reality, I know that the Morgan Library openly discusses Belle's heritage. (https://www.themorgan.org/belle-greene) Her father was the first Black graduate of Harvard College. But the family (once the father left) would continue to 'pass' as white.
Lisa
You'd think this would have been covered in the historical note.
Elizabeth
I did a bit of research on Belle, and apparently on her birth certificate she was listed as "colored".
Jody Bryant
Her relatives were black. Back then, if you had any trace of black ancestors you were considered black and had to use special restrooms, special seating in public transportation, If you did otherwise you could be arrested.
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