Joseph McLean Gregory is the great-grandson of Evalyn Walsh McLean. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he was educated at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the president and founder of Hope Diamond Collection. A noted author and historian, Joseph has received rave reviews for his books, Queen of Diamonds and his latest book, The Hope Diamond Evalyn Walsh McLean and the Captivating Mystery of the World’s Most Alluring Jewel. This book explores the remarkable journey of the enchanting blue diamond and the rich legacy of Gregory’s great-grandmother, Evalyn Walsh McLean, who purchased the gem in 1911. The book sheds new light on the myth, mystery, and magnificence on the McLean legacy. Although much has been written about the storied gem, Gregory offers an in-depth look behind the intrigue, fascination, and misfortune of those who dared to possess it.
“I wanted to do this book because it’s about people, the people who owned the Hope Diamond and it personalizes the story. Now the reader can connect the images with the previous owners in a way that has never been done before,” he explains.
The rags-to-riches story of the eccentric and colorful Evalyn Walsh McLean was filled with opulence and tragedy, including suicide and drug addiction, and has been featured on The Learning Channel, The Discovery Channel, A&E and in numerous Smithsonian Institution films.
A highly sought-after designer and motivational speaker, Joseph is the creator and founder of FABLE, the exquisite fragrance line that was inspired by the Hope Diamond. Within the first few months, FABLE received nominations for Best Packaging and Fragrance of the Year from The Fragrance Foundation’s prestigious FIFI Awards. It also joined such well-known names as Jean Patou, Guerlain, Hermes, Creed, Jo Malone and Annick Goutal in scoring as one of the Top Five best-selling luxury fragrances at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Enjoying FABLE are such well-known women as former first ladies, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rosalynn Carter, Goldie Hawn, Arlene Dahl, Tipper Gore, Donna Summer and columnist Liz Smith.
Joseph is not only an active member of the Nashville community donating his time to NARAS, CMA, Habitat For Humanity, ASCAP, Country Music Hall of Fame, Tennessee State Museum, and NSAI, but also is involved with The Museum Society of Asheville, NC., WNC Historical Association, Asheville, NC., The Museum Society (Decatur House) in Washington, D.C., The Ouray County Historical Society in Ouray, CO., and the Red Cross.
You can order these books from our Book Page.
The Hope Diamond Evalyn Walsh McLean and the Captivating Mystery of the World’s Most Alluring Jewel is also available in audio book form. To purchase visit iTunes. When you download the audio book you will receive FREE a pdf file of 21 historic family photos with captions!
Be sure to check out all the wonderful products available on the Fragrances Page.
