When J. Pierpont Morgan founded his library in 1905, he engaged twenty-one-year-old Belle da Costa Greene as his librarian. She continued to serve in that position to the end of Morgan's life in 1913 and remained as librarian under his son J. P. Morgan Jr. In 1924 Morgan gave over both ownership and administration of the library's collections and building to a board of trustees, and Greene was elected director of the library. She continued as such until her retirement in 1948, completing forty-three years of service and leadership to one of the great libraries of the world. The level of excellence attained by the Pierpont Morgan Library is due in no small measure to Belle Greene.

Belle da Costa Greene was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on 13 December 1883, the daughter of Richard Greene and Genevieve Van Vliet Greene. Her middle name came from her maternal grandmother, Genevieve da Costa Van Vliet. Belle's...