Julian Carlton

Julian Carlton was born on 15 January 1883 (some records, including his gravestone, list his birth year as 1884) and is understood to have been of mixed African-American, Afro-Caribbean, and West Indian heritage. He was reportedly from Birmingham, Alabama and had worked in domestic service prior to his employment at Taliesin.

In 1914, Carlton was hired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright as a cook and household employee at Taliesin, Wright’s then‑new home and studio in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Carlton had initially been described as genial, but over time his behavior became increasingly erratic. He was reported to have exhibited paranoia and agitation, including late‑night pacing with a butcher knife in hand. This behavior was noted by Wright and others, and Carlton was eventually informed that his employment would end on 15 August 1914.

Despite growing concerns, Carlton remained at Taliesin until days before the murders. He was understood to have been resentful of certain colleagues, including draftsman Emil Brodelle, who had insulted him. Friends and coworkers described Carlton as increasingly withdrawn and suspicious, though there were no formal records of mental‑health treatment.

On 15 August 1914, Julian Carlton carried out a brutal attack at Taliesin, the rural Wisconsin home and studio of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Carlton was reported to have planned the assault after being notified his employment was ending. His primary target may have been draftsman Emil Brodelle, who had mistreated him. That afternoon, Carlton armed himself with a shingling hatchet and proceeded to the living quarters.

While Wright was away in Chicago, Carlton struck:

• He fatally bludgeoned Mamah Borthwick Cheney, Wright’s mistress, with a single blow to the head.
• Her young children, John and Martha Cheney, were also killed — John on the porch and Martha later in the courtyard as she attempted to escape.
• Carlton set the main living quarters on fire by pouring gasoline and igniting it, hoping to destroy the estate and prevent escape.
• In the servant quarters, he attacked staff; draftsman Herbert Fritz escaped by breaking a window (breaking his arm), and others were killed or mortally wounded.
• Carlton himself attempted suicide by drinking a vial of hydrochloric acid, which severely burned his esophagus but did not kill him.

Neighbors and staff extinguished the fire, saving Taliesin’s studio and agricultural wings. Carlton was found later and taken into custody by local authorities. He was indicted on 16 August 1914 for the murder of Emil Brodelle, who was the only witness to part of the attack on the servant quarters, though Carlton was implicated in all the deaths.

While in jail awaiting trial in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Carlton’s health deteriorated. The hydrochloric acid he had ingested severely damaged his ability to swallow and caused chronic pain. On 7 October 1914, Carlton died of starvation and self‑inflicted injuries sustained from the acid ingestion. He was 31 years old.

The murder and burning of Taliesin shocked the architectural world. Because he died before trial, Carlton was never convicted in court, and no further legal proceedings occurred.