To mark the 2024 centennial of its life as a public institution, the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene. Widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene is one of the most prominent librarians in American history. On view October 25, 2024, through May 4, 2025, Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy will trace Greene’s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world’s great research libraries. This exhibition, as did Greene’s life, tackles some challenging material and topics that require a delicate hand. In order to ensure that Greene’s story is presented with the utmost care and responsibility, the Morgan has created an Advisory Committee, comprising librarians, historians, and professors from institutions across the country with specialized interest in the themes of the exhibition. In this video, listen as the curators Philip Palmer and Erica Ciallela and advisory committee members Rhonda Evans and Dominique Jean-Louis explain how they are telling Greene's story, and what makes her “the most fascinating librarian in American history” and “the soul of the Morgan Library.”
