David Solinger
American lawyer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David M. Solinger (February 17, 1906[1] – October 29, 1996) was a lawyer, art collector, and president of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
February 17, 1906
J.D. Columbia Law School
Betty Ann Besch
David Solinger | |
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| Born | David M. Solinger February 17, 1906 |
| Died | October 29, 1996 (aged 90) |
| Education | B.A. Cornell University J.D. Columbia Law School |
| Spouse(s) | Hope Alva Gimbel (divorced) Betty Ann Besch |
| Children | Faith Solinger Sommerfield Lynn Solinger Stern Lang |
| Family | Bernard Gimbel (father-in-law) |
Biography
Solinger was born in New York City in 1906, the son of Maurice Solinger, a meatpacking business executive.[2][3] After graduating from Cornell University and Columbia Law School, he worked as a senior partner at the Manhattan law firm Solinger and Gordon.[2] He was one of the first lawyers to develop a specialty in advertising, radio and television law and his clients included Louise Nevelson, Hans Hoffman, and Franz Kline.[2]
In 1961, he was elected a trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art and in 1966 he succeeded Flora Whitney Miller as its president, the first that was not a member of the Whitney family.[2] While trustee he was instrumental in moving the museum to a new facility designed by Marcel Breuer; and in 1973, as president, in the opening of its first branch location in lower Manhattan.[2]
Art collection
Solinger collected 20th century art and owned works by Klee, Dubuffet, Giacometti, Leger, Miro, Kline, de Kooning, Soulages and Kandinsky as well as a 1927 Picasso, donating many to local museums.[2]
Personal life
Solinger was married twice. In 1937, he married Hope Alva Gimbel, the daughter of Bernard Gimbel; the couple had two daughters before divorcing in 1978: Faith Solinger Sommerfield and Lynn Solinger Stern Lang.[2][4][5] He remarried to Betty Ann Besch.[2] Solinger died at his home in Manhattan on October 29, 1996.[2]