Schlesinger Receives Marilyn Monroe Books

She originally gained fame for her body, but the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is getting to know Marilyn Monroe's mind.

An anonymous Boston woman has donated five literary works owned by Monroe to Radcliffe's Schlesinger Library. All authored by American women, the books will be on display at the library through the end of January.

The donor purchased Willa Cather's My Antonia and Lucy Gayheart, Carson McCullers's The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, Grace Paley's The Little Disturbances of Man, and The Portable Dorothy by Dorothy Parker for $10,000 at Christie's auction house in October.

The auction of about 400 of Monroe's books raised about $600,000, which was donated to Literacy Partners, a non-profit organization that promotes adult literacy.

The books show that the actress "was someone who recognized her own lack of education and tried to improve herself through reading," according to Vredy Lytsman, Christie's spokesperson.

"The public has an image of her as a dumb blonde. The books give insight into another side of her," Lytsman said. "She wasn't the brainiest, but she tried to improve herself and educate herself."

The Schlesinger Library has the world's largest collection of books related to American women and regularly features books from the personal collections of prominent women.

Michael Armini, Radcliffe spokesperson, said he expects a more public reaction and interest in this exhibition than usual.

"We often receive gifts like this, but this particular gift may generate interest in a more mainstream audience than some other gifts," Armini said.

"We think that the university community will especially enjoy taking a look at the books because Marilyn was not known for her reading habits," he added.