Because of the condescension of Barnes by the social and art establishment, Barnes was determined not to allow control of his Foundation, school, and collection by any established art museums or Philadelphia Main Line persons or institutions. In a final word, he left majority control of the board of trustees of his foundation Lincoln University, a historically black college located in suburban Chester, PA.
Albert Coombs Barnes (January 2, 1872 - July 24, 1951) was an American medical doctor, inventor, entrepreneur, businessman, art collector, and educator. Barnes founded his eponymous Barnes Foundation in the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion, Pennsylvania in 1922.
Barnes made his fortune after inventing and marketing an antiseptic drug called Argyrol, which was for the treatment of gonorrhea. In 1929, Barnes sold his company, called Argyrol Pharmaceuticals for many millions of dollars.
In the 1910s, Barnes began his study and collection of art. His friend, the artist William Glackens assisted him in his collecting endeavor, and Barnes commissioned Glackens to buy impressionist and modern art works for him in Paris. After the sale of Argyrol Pharmaceuticals, Barnes committed himself solely to the study and collection of art, and the founding and endowment of his Barnes Foundation private museum and art college.
Barnes died in a car accident, after failing to stop at a stop sign, and being hit by a commercial truck, while on the way from his home to the campus of The Barnes Foundation.