Albert C. Barnes - Early Life and Education

Early Life and Education

Albert Barnes was born in Philadelphia to working-class parents. His father had been a butcher before the Civil War (American); during that war, he lost his right arm at the Battle of Cold Harbor, 1864. After the war, his father became a letter carrier. Barnes' mother was a devout Methodist who took him to African-American camp meetings and revivals.

Albert Barnes earned a spot at the public academic Central High School in Philadelphia. There he became friends with William Glackens, who later became an artist and advised him on his first collecting efforts. Barnes went on to college and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his way by tutoring, boxing, and playing semi-professional baseball. By age 20, he was a medical doctor. He went into research as a chemist rather than clinical practice.

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