Frank Lloyd Wright, pioneering American architect and thinker who shaped modern architecture, passed away on April 9, 1959 at 91 years old. Wright was born in Wisconsin in 1867. New patterns of thinking regarding the integration of nature, life and architecture made him a leader in modern architecture. He designed public, private, and commercial buildings as well as private homes. He is widely recognized for popularizing the Prairie School style of architecture and for being one of the first to widely employ the use of steel and concrete in his designs. Wright rejected the idea of classicism and instead developed organic architecture, which sought to integrate buildings with their natural surroundings. His philosophy is best summarized by the phrase “form and function are one” and his best-known work is the 1957 Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Wright's prolific life was recognized through numerous awards and accolades and in 1991, he became the first architect to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He will be remembered for his great contributions to architectural history. He is survived by his wife, Olga, and four children.