We’ve officially hit 2,000 books in the database! We’ve created a fun way for readers to go on a sapphic book finding mission to get familiar with this new resource. Four prizes of a $15 Amazon gift card will be awarded in drawings on November 9, 16, 23, and 30. For complete rules, click here.
Now let’s get to today’s history lesson: Hetty Green
On November 21, 1834, American businesswoman and financier, Hetty Green was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts to a rich whaling family.
When she was two, Hetty lived with her grandfather and aunt. She would read commerce reports and stock quotations to her grandfather, learning some of his business practices.
In 1865, Hetty inherited six million dollars (equivalent to $106,213,000 in 2021). In 1867, when she was thirty-three, she married Edward Henry Green, but she insisted that he relinquish all rights to her money. They had two children, but separated in 1885, staying married and later in life, they would spend more time together.
Hetty liked to invest in stocks that no one wanted when the prices where low and would hold onto them until they increased in price. She became known at the “Queen of Wall Street.” Despite that distinction, she didn’t live like a millionaire, staying in boarding houses, flats, or hotels.
Her reputation as a miser became legendary. She never used hot water or turned on the heat. She wore the same dress and underthings until they fell apart. Ned, her son, ended up having a leg amputated because Hetty tried finding a free clinic, and Ned’s situation became incurable.
Hetty became New York’s largest lender by 1905.
She died on July 3, 1916, and after her death she was recognized at the “Wizard of Finance” and the “Richest Woman in America.” The Guinness Book of World Records awarded Hetty the “greatest miser” honor. The New York Times wrote, “It was the fact that Mrs. Green was a woman that made her career the subject of endless curiosity, comment and astonishment.”
To honor Hetty Green, we’re asking readers to go to the BookFinder and look up books in the following Archetype category: Billionaire.
Find a book you haven’t read yet, or if you come across an old favorite, share it and tell us why. To enter the giveaway, share your entry in the Facebook group.
Remember, the more days you play, the more entries you’ll receive for the $15 Amazon gift card, so don’t forget to check back tomorrow for another Book Finding Mission.
Authors, if your books aren’t in the database yet, we highly recommend you submit them now. Here’s the form.
