Barton A. Bean (1860-1947) was born in Pennsylvania. His brother, Tarleton Hoffman Bean, the noted ichthyologist and fisheries expert, joined the staff of the United States National Museum in 1877 as Assistant Ichthyologist and later was placed in charge of the Museum's Division of Fishes. Apparently, the elder Bean obtained a position for Barton as a clerk in the Museum in 1881, and Barton eventually became Aid, 1886, and Assistant Curator, 1890, under Tarleton in the Division of Fishes. He retained the title, Assistant Curator, until his retirement in 1932.

In addition to his duties in the National Museum, Barton Bean also worked with the United States Fish Commission, later the Bureau of Fisheries. This was a common practice because of the close relationship between the Museum and the Commission, particularly during the period when Spencer F. Baird and George Brown Goode served both agencies. Bean also collaborated with Henry Weed Fowler in his work on the Philippine fishes, published as part of the Bulletin of the United States National Museum, Number 100, but published little else of note.