Anson Conger Goodyear’s Legacy of Business and Philanthropy

Anson Conger Goodyear was an American industrialist and art collector who had multiple interests in railroads. Aside from his own railroads, he served Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad from 1907 to 1910 as vice president, and New Orleans Great Northern Railroad Company from 1920 to 1930 as president. He also served in the boards of Paramount Pictures, Gaylord Container Corporation and Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

From the late 19th century toward the early 20th century, Goodyear started collecting artwork. Goodyear organized the Museum of Modern Art located in New York City where he served as president from 1029 to 1939. Some pieces from his collection were donated to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

Goodyear served the New York National Guard and actively joined the World War I holding the rank of Colonel. He became the personal representative of the Secretary of War. Later, he was promoted to the rank of Major General. He was department commander of the American Red Cross stationed in Hawaii during the World War II.