Biography: Frank Lloyd Wright

Born June 8, 1867 in Richland Center, Wisconsin to William Carey Wright and Anna Lloyd Jones; he was originally named Frank Lincoln Wright, but later changed his name to honor his mother after his parents divorced.

His father was a music teacher, orator and sometimes lawyer and eventually superintendant of schools. However, his mother, who was a school teacher, was ultimately the inspiring force in his life. From before he was born, she knew what her son would ultimately be; a great architect.

She provided him with the tools, toys and inspiration that would eventually develop his inspiring ambitions and dreams. These toys, known as Froebel Gifts, would be in his thoughts for the rest of his life, and the inspiration behind his designs. Frank is the prime example that early and pre-childhood influences and experiences can mold you into becoming something of great value to society.

The family moved to Weymouth, Massachusetts for his father to become a minister to a small congregation. This put great financial burden on the family, and then in turn moved back to Wisconsin.

In 1881, Frank's parents divorced and he never saw his father again. At this point, being 14 years of age, Frank took over as being the man of the house and supported his mother and sisters.

He attended Madison High School and the University of Wisconsin, but never graduated either. He then moved to Chicago where he started working for the firm Joseph Lyman Silsbee. After a short while with the company, he moved on to the firm Adler & Sullivan.

One of the members of the company Adler & Sullivan thought that he was moonlighting as he had built homes without the companies approval, then asked him to leave the company, and he did.

In 1889, Frank married Catherine Lee Tobin. After about 20 years of marriage to Catherine, Frank began cheating with a client's wife. They were seen all about town together. Although this was going on, Catherine refused to allow a divorce.

In 1909, Frank and his mistress, Mamah Cheney, took off and eloped, regardless of either of them having a divorce from their current spouse. This event, above anything else, ruined his chances of practicing architecture in the United States.

Wright eventually moved over to Europe to publish two portfolios of his work, where he set up home in Italy. Mamah would return to the United States often. Frank then convinced his mother to purchase land so that he may build a home, which he later called Taliesin.

August 14, 1915, while Frank was in Chicago finishing a project known as the Midway Gardens, one of the servant set fire to the house, and killed 7 people with an axe. Unfortunately, his then partner Mamah, her two children and other were killed.

Wright was finally granted a divorce from his first wife, where he then married his third, Maude "Miriam" Noel, whom was addicted to Morphine, which would ultimately the end of the marriage. Franks mother died shortly after this.

In 1924, while still married to Miriam, he met and Olga Olgivanna, they moved into the home and had a daughter.

In April, 1925 there was another fire at the home, due to faulty electrical, but Frank rebuilt, naming the house Taliesin II.

Turmoil and complications followed Frank no matter where he went, even in death. He died on April 9, 1959. His then wife Olga, fought to have his remains moved from his family cemetery plot and cremated, so now visitors visit an empty gravesite, though it contains his headstone.

But one thing, if anything can be said about Frank Lloyd Wright; he had a love for beautiful things, architecture and women alike.