AncientFaces Your browser does not support JavaScript!
Please enable JavaScript to view the entire contents of this page.

Wilbur Wright 1867 - 1912

Wilbur Wright was born on April 16, 1867 in New Castle, Indiana USA to Susan Catherine (Koerner) Wright and Milton Wright, and had siblings Orville Wright, Katharine Wright, Reuchlin Wright, Lorin Wright, Ida Wright, and Otis Wright. Wilbur Wright died at age 45 years old on May 30, 1912 in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried on June 1, 1912 at Woodland Cemetery in Dayton.

Wilbur Wright

April 16, 1867

New Castle, Indiana, USA

May 30, 1912

Dayton, Ohio, USA

Male

Looking for another Wilbur Wright?

Wilbur Wright Wilbur Wright (1867 - 1912)

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Wilbur.

Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.

Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...

Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Wilbur Wright's History: 1867 - 1912

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.

- Discover how AncientFaces works.

Introduction

Along with his brother, Orville, Wilbur Wright is known for being a pioneer in aviation in the U.S. They invented, built, and flew the world's first successful motor-operated airplane in 1903. Their first enterprise was a bicycle shop - they repaired and sold bicycles! Neither of the brothers had middle names as their father wanted to give them "unique enough" first names.
04/16

1867

Birthday

April 16, 1867

Birthdate

New Castle, Indiana USA

Birthplace

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Ethnicity & Family History

English and Dutch from his father (Milton Wright) German and Swiss from his mother (Susan Catherine Koerner) It is said that his grandmother (Milton's mother) is a descendant of the Vanderbilt family.
Nationality & Locations

Wibur was born Near Millville, Indiana in 1867. As his father was a Bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, the family moved a lot including spending time in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1878-1881), Richmond, Indiana (1881-1884), and eventually settled in Dayton, Ohio in 1884.
Early Life & Education

Wilbur was said to be a bright young student and did graduate from a public high school nut never received his diploma due to moving so frequently. He originally had planned to attend Yale University, but suffered an injury in winter 1885 that caused him to go into a depression and bail on his plans for college to stay home, read, and care for his mother who died of tuberculosis in 1889.
Religious Beliefs

Not much is said about Wilbur's religious beliefs, but it is known that their father was a Bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Orville was named after clergyman "Willbur Fisk", and he never worked on Sundays, used tobacco or drank alcohol (similar to the beliefs of his father).
Professional Career

In 1889, the bothers opened a writing business and began a weekly newspaper by the name of “West Side News”. Their next venture began in 1892, when the brothers opened a bike repair and sales shop called “the Wright Cycle Exchange” which spurred due to the national bicycle craze. IN 1892 they began manufacturing their own bikes and changed the name of the shop to the “Wright Cycle Company. This business gave the two the monetary funds to start their flight research. In 1899 the brothers began testing out wing warping, by building and flying a biplane kite which would be their start towards the first successful flight. The brothers then moved to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to further their flight studies and theories and begin their first test flights. Once in Kitty Hawk the brothers worked on gliders using other known facts at the time to improve and better their flying capabilities. Some information has led us to believe that Wilbur did all of the gliding until 1902 as his big brother duty to protect younger brother Orville. After more testing, they built their third full scale glider that ran perfectly during test flights at Kill Devil Hills in Sept 1902. In the Winter of 1902, they built a wind tunnel, a gasoline engine powerful and light enough to propel a plane, airplane propellers, and a powered aircraft. With all of this ready, they headed back to Kill Devil Hills to assemble and test their powered flying machine for 7 weeks in September 1903. It was on December 17 1903 that Orville made the first successful flight flying a distance of 120 feet in 12 seconds. The brothers then took turns trying to beat each others record for a total of 4 flights that day. 1st flight Orville: 120 feet, 12 seconds 2nd flight Wilbur: 175 feet, 12 seconds 3rd flight Orville: 200 feet, 15 seconds 4th flight Wilbur: 825 feet, 59 seconds
05/30

1912

Death

May 30, 1912

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Dayton, Ohio USA
Death location

ADVERTISEMENT BY
06/1

1912

Gravesite & Burial

June 1, 1912

Funeral date
Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio USA
Burial location
share

Memories

below

Join 4 others
who remember Wilbur

Select options below to share special moments.

Baptism Military Service Personal Life & Family Obituary Add Memory Add Photo Ask others to share How this works

Share what you remember.
Ask what you wish to know.
Connect to discover more.
Advertisement
Did you know?

Wilbur Wright lived 27 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 45.

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below

6 Memories, Stories & Photos about Wilbur

AncientFaces

411 favorites

05/07/2023

The Wright brothers

The Wright brothers at the International Aviation Tournament, Belmont Park, Long Island, N.Y., Oct. 1910

Date & Place: 1910

Comments

Debby Stevens

2.17k+ favorites

05/07/2023

Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) Indiana

[external link]

Who Was Wilbur Wright?
Wilbur Wright was the elder brother of Orville Wright, with whom he developed the world's first successful airplane. On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers succeeded in making the first free, controlled flight of a power-driven airplane. An extraordinary achievement, Wilbur flew the plane for 59 seconds over a distance of 852 feet. Today, the Wright brothers are regarded as the "fathers of modern aviation." Wilbur Wright died in Dayton, Ohio, on May 30, 1912.

Early Life
Wilbur Wright was born on April 16, 1867, near Millville, Indiana, the middle child in a family of five children. His father, Milton Wright, was a bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. His mother was Susan Catherine Koerner Wright. As a child, Wilbur's playmate was his younger brother, Orville, born in 1871.

Milton Wright's preaching took him on the road frequently, and he often brought back small toys for his children. In 1878 he brought back a small model helicopter for his boys. Made of cork, bamboo and paper, and powered by a rubber band to twirl its blades, the model was based on a design by the French aeronautical pioneer Alphonse Pénaud. Fascinated by the toy and its mechanics, Wilbur and Orville would develop a lifelong love of aeronautics and flying.

Wilbur was a bright and studious child, and excelled in school. His personality was outgoing and robust, and he made plans to attend Yale University after high school. In the winter of 1885-86, an accident changed the course of Wilbur's life. He was badly injured in an ice hockey game, when another player's stick hit him in the face.

Though most of his injuries healed, the incident plunged Wilbur into a depression. He did not receive his high school diploma, canceled plans for college and retreated to his family’s home. Wilbur spent much of this period at home, reading books in his family’s library, and caring for his ailing mother. Susan Koerner Wright died in 1889 of tuberculosis.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
In 1889 the brothers started their own newspaper, the West Side News. Wilbur edited the paper and Orville was the publisher. The brothers also shared a passion for bicycles—a new craze that was sweeping the country. In 1892, Wilbur and Orville opened a bike shop, fixing bicycles and later selling their own designs.

Wilbur and Orville Wright
The Wright Brothers
Photo: Underwood & Underwood/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
Developing the Airplane
Always working on different mechanical projects and keeping up with scientific research, the Wright brothers closely followed the research of German aviator Otto Lilienthal. When Lilienthal died in a glider crash, the brothers decided to start their own experiments with flight. Determined to develop their own successful design, Wilbur and Orville headed to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, known for its strong winds.

Wilbur and Orville set to work trying to figure out how to design wings for flight. They observed that birds angled their wings for balance and control, and tried to emulate this, developing a concept called "wing warping." The Wright brothers found the magic formula when they added a moveable rudder, and on December 17, 1903, they succeeded in flying the first free, controlled flight of a power-driven airplane. An extraordinary achievement, Wilbur flew the plane for 59 seconds over a distance of 852 feet.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
The Wright brothers soon found that their success was not appreciated by all. Many in the press, as well as fellow flight experts, were reluctant to believe the brothers' claims. As a result, Wilbur set out for Europe in 1908, where he hoped he would have more success convincing the public and selling airplanes.

READ MORE: Orville and Wilbur Wright: The Brothers Who Changed Aviation

Later Fame
In France, Wilbur found a much more receptive audience. There, he made many public flights and gave rides to officials, journalists and statesmen. In 1909, Orville joined his brother in Europe, as did their younger sister, Katharine. The Wrights became huge celebrities there, hosted by royals and heads of state, and constantly featured in the press. The Wrights began to sell their airplanes in Europe and then returned to the United States in 1909.

The brothers went on to become wealthy businessmen, filling contracts for airplanes in both Europe and the United States. Today, the Wright brothers are considered the "fathers of modern aviation."

Wilbur and Orville always took shared credit for their innovations and maintained a close relationship throughout their lives. Behind the scenes, however, there was a division of labor. With his sharp instincts, Wilbur was the business mind and executive of the operation, serving as president of the Wright company.

Death and Legacy
Wilbur fell ill on a trip to Boston in April 1912. After being diagnosed with typhoid fever, he died on May 30, 1912, at his family home in Dayton, Ohio.

Milton Wright wrote later about his son in his diary: "A short life, full of consequences. An unfailing intellect, imperturbable temper, great self-reliance and as great modesty, seeing the right clearly, pursuing it steadfastly, he lived and died."

QUICK FACTS
Name: Wilbur Wright
Birth Year: 1867
Birth date: April 16, 1867
Birth State: Indiana
Birth City: Near Millville
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Male
Best Known For: Wilbur Wright is best known for developing the first successful airplane with his brother, Orville.
Industries
Technology and Engineering
Astrological Sign: Aries
Death Year: 1912
Death date: May 30, 1912
Death State: Ohio
Death City: Dayton
Death Country: United States
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us!

CITATION INFORMATION
Article Title: Wilbur Wright Biography
Author: Biography.com Editors
Website Name: The Biography.com website
Url:

[external link]

Access Date:
Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
Last Updated: May 27, 2021
Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
QUOTES
The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who ... looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space ... on the infinite highway of the air.
It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

AncientFaces

411 favorites

05/07/2023

Wright brothers flight

Photo taken during a Wright brothers flight,

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

AncientFaces

411 favorites

05/07/2023

Wright brothers flight

Photo taken during the historical Wright brothers flight.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

AncientFaces

411 favorites

12/31/2011

Orville, Wilbur, and Katherine Wright

Orville, Wilbur, and Katherine Wright, with others

Date & Place: 1907

Comments

AncientFaces

411 favorites

01/09/2012

Wilbur and Orville Wright

Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright seated on steps of rear porch, 7 Hawthorne St., Dayton, Ohio

Date & Place: 1909

Comments

Loading...one moment please

- See how biographies work.

Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

Wilbur Wright's Family Tree & Friends

Wilbur Wright's Family Tree

Susan Catherine (Koerner) Wright Apr 30, 1831 - Jul 4, 1889

Milton Wright Nov 17, 1828 - Apr 3, 1917

Katharine Wright Aug 19, 1874 - Mar 3, 1929

Lorin Wright Nov 18, 1862 - Dec 1, 1939

Otis Wright Feb 22, 1870 - Mar 7, 1870

Wilbur Wright Apr 16, 1867 - May 30, 1912

Partner

Sibling

Child

Orville Wright Aug 19, 1871 - Jan 30, 1948

Reuchlin Wright Mar 17, 1861 - May 23, 1920

Ida Wright Feb 22, 1870 - Mar 12, 1870

Friendships

Wilbur's Friends

6 Followers & Sources

Connect with others who remember Wilbur Wright to share and discover more memories. People who have contributed to this page are listed below and in the Biography History of changes. Sign in to your free account to view changes.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

Other Biographies

Other Wilbur Wright Biographies

Wright, Wilbur Wright, Wilbur (Dec 15, 1969 - Sep 21, 2012) Wright, Wilbur (Apr 28, 1907 - Oct 25, 1966) Wright, Wilbur (Dec 23, 1909 - May 25, 1971) Wright, Wilbur (Feb 11, 1915 - Aug 27, 1977) Wright, Wilbur (Jun 26, 1915 - Jun 7, 1973) Wright, Wilbur (Oct 2, 1951 - Dec 20, 1991) Wright, Wilbur (Sep 21, 1917 - Jan 26, 1996) Wright, Wilbur (Feb 20, 1911 - Jun 7, 1981) Wright, Wilbur (Jun 29, 1917 - Mar 1977)

Wright, Wilbur (Mar 30, 1905 - Dec 1978) Wright, Wilbur (Nov 2, 1909 - May 10, 1999) Wright, Wilbur (Jul 8, 1901 - Oct 1969) Wright, Wilbur (Oct 6, 1910 - Nov 1982) Wright, Wilbur (May 27, 1924 - Dec 25, 2003) Wright, Wilbur (Dec 18, 1920 - Dec 1985) Wright, Wilbur (Oct 1910 - Mar 2, 1974) Wright, Wilbur (Jul 8, 1908 - Nov 16, 1994) Wright, Wilbur (Dec 28, 1926 - Jan 8, 2008) Wright, Wilbur (Apr 1, 1916 - Apr 3, 1997)

Other Wright Family Biographies

Vannest, Elvina Wright, Anna (Born Mar 20, 1902) Wright, Harley (Jul 14, 1900 - Aug 1969) Wright, Mary (Born 1865) Wright, Jack Wright, Julian (May 2, 1900 - Mar 20, 1989) Wright, Rochie (Oct 11, 1902 - Mar 15, 1990) Wright, Thomas Wright, Charles Roberts-Wright, Anna (Born Jul 19, 1929)

Wright, Annie (Born Nov 10, 1895) Wright, Bertha (Born Feb 15, 1893) Wright, Isaac (Born Oct 28, 1897) Wright, Alexander (Born Mar 13, 1869) Wright, Ada Alice (Born Feb 28, 1874) Wright, Effie (Born 1904) Wright, Eucie (Born 1902) Wright, Vadie (Born 1906) Wright, Allen (Born 1866) Wright, Emma (Born 1872)

Other people named Wanda Wright - Zyhire Wright

Wanda - Warwick Wright Wasena - Wayland Wright Waylon - Wellman Wright Wellmon - Wescott Wright Weslau - Whitlean Wright Whitmer - Wilda Wright Wilder - Wilkes Wright Wilkie - William Wright Williameni - Willita Wright Willivee - Wilna Wright Wilsie - Winnett Wright

Winnie - Withenburn Wright Withrow - Worley Wright Worstene - Wylda Wright Wylene - Wyoming Wright Wyone - Yoland Wright Yolanda - Zachary Wright Zachery - Zebedee Wright Zebulon - Zelous Wright Zelpha - Zera Wright Zerina - Zodie Wright Zoe - Zyhire Wright

About the AncientFaces Community

Wilbur Wright 1867 - 1912

Wilbur Wright's History: 1867 - 1912

Introduction

Birthday

Ethnicity & Family History

Nationality & Locations

Early Life & Education

Religious Beliefs

Professional Career

Death

Gravesite & Burial

6 Memories, Stories & Photos about Wilbur

Wilbur Wright's Family Tree & Friends

Wilbur Wright's Family Tree

Wilbur's Friends

Other Wilbur Wright Biographies

Other Wright Family Biographies

Other people named Wanda Wright - Zyhire Wright