William J. Brinkmann

Place: Chicago

Born: 1871

Death: 1911

Biography:

William J. Brinkmann was an American architect born in Chicago in 1871. He was the son of German immigrants and began his career at the firm of Burnham and Root. He is known for his work designing Chicago area churches, including St. Josaphat's, St. Michael's in the South Chicago neighborhood, St. Mary's in Buffalo Grove, and the mausoleum and chapel for the Archbishops of Chicago in Mount Carmel Cemetery. He was one of the three architects involved in the design of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Brinkmann's death in 1911 was unexpected and mysterious, with his mangled, decapitated body found on train tracks near 73rd street in Chicago. The cause of his death remains unsolved to this day.