Victoria Christopher Murray understands there are hidden gems in American history, and like an archeologist, she’s on a mission to bring them to light.
Two of the New York Times best-selling author’s books unearth such stories and will be the topic of her appearance at Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s SPEAK lecture series on Oct. 24.
A native New Yorker, Christopher Murray has authored or co-authored more than 30 novels in a 25-year writing career, resulting in nearly three million books in print. Her latest works of historical fiction recreate the scenes behind the stories of women whose quiet work impacted millions.
“I start with women who have been lost in the folds of history, a story that is little known but should have been well known,” she says. “These women have achievements and accomplishments. We’re standing on their shoulders of their achievements, but we don’t know their names?”
Christopher Murray was familiar with Belle da Costa Greene, the protagonist of her 2021 release “The Personal Librarian” co-authored with Marie Benedict. After being connected with powerful financier J.P. Morgan, da Costa Greene helped him build a highly valuable collection of rare books, manuscripts, and art that still exists — all the while camouflaging the fact that she was Black.
Conversely, Christopher Murray’s findings while researching “The First Ladies” — her 2019 release (also coauthored by Benedict) about the controversial friendship between U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune — were more of a surprise. Christopher Murray discovered an extensive network of collaboration the two women fostered between Black and white American leaders in the 1930s and ‘40s.
“Who knew the Civil Rights Movement began with the work Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune did? Who knew a Black woman had anything to do with it?” she says.
Christopher Murray’s books impart knowledge, wisdom, and lessons on readers, and she often is the first person impacted by her work, marveling at the stories she uncovers as she researches her book subjects.
“One of the things these books do is make people more curious. Even writing them makes me more curious,” she says. “I was stunned that Eleanor and Mary — even in New York — couldn’t find restaurants to go to.”
The reason these stories remain unearthed is not lost on Christopher Murray.
“Women were second-class citizens. Blacks were two-fifths of a person. They just weren’t important. Their importance came after their deaths,” she says. “Once I discover them, I’m all in. I just want to do well by the characters and let readers, with their own experiences and backgrounds, take out of there what they need.
Her Oct. 24 lecture will be Christopher Murray’s first visit to Evansville. The SPEAK lecture series pairs readings with discussions that support a variety of topics presented by visiting authors and leaders. This year’s lecture lineup has included authors Kate Quinn, Elin Hilderbrand, and Anthony DeBenedet. Christopher Murray’s visit will conclude the 2024 SPEAK series.
Christopher Murray hopes her SPEAK lecture inspires others to dig deeper into history and discover other lesser-known stories of trailblazers such as Evansville suffragette Lucia Blount.
“The biggest compliment is when someone says, ‘I put down your book and went down a rabbit hole. I lost five hours because of you, Victoria!’” she laughs.
“There are so many hidden figures in our history,” she adds. “I’m going to discover as many as I can.”
When You Go
EVPL SPEAK: An Explorative Lecture Series, featuring Victoria Christopher Murray
7 p.m. Oct. 24
Ivy Tech Community College auditorium, 3501 N. First Ave.
Admission is free
