Francis Harrington Glidden (1832–1922) was an American businessman best known for founding the company now known as the Glidden Company, which became a subsidiary of Akzo Nobel NV[1] before that company sold the Glidden business to PPG Industries in 2012.[2]
Glidden was born on May 24, 1832, in New Castle, Maine, and attended Lincoln Academy.[3] After marrying Winifred Kavanaugh Waters in 1854,[3] he had a career as a seaman and dry-goods merchant.[3][4]
In 1868, Glidden moved to Cleveland, Ohio.[4] In 1875, after leaving Tilden, he started his own varnish manufacturing company, named The Glidden-Brackett Company; renamed later to the Glidden & Joy Company,[4] and in 1890 incorporated as The Glidden Varnish Company.[4]
Glidden served as President and Director of the company;[4] retiring in 1917 at age 85.[5] In addition to his work with the company, Glidden served as director of Central National Bank of Cleveland.[4]
Glidden resided in the Clifton Park area of Lakewood, Ohio, in a home he built in 1910 that he named "Inglewood."[6] He died September 25, 1922, in Cleveland, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.[6]
