Samuel S. Fleisher (1871-1944) was born in Philadelphia and grew up in a German Jewish family that had emigrated to the United States. After graduating, Samuel was the vice president of SB & BW Fleisher, the family yarn and clothing manufacturing company. He was a great patron of the arts and became involved in community life through philanthropic acts. He founded the Graphic Sketch Club, where art classes were given free of charge to those who wanted them. In addition, he acquired numerous works of art to form a collection so that students could learn directly by viewing the pieces.