Edwin Henry Cheney

Edwin Henry Cheney was an electrical engineer from Oak Park, Illinois, USA.

Cheney commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build his family a house in Oak Park. Wright engaged in a love affair with Edwin's wife Mamah, with whom he went to Europe. Upon their return, Mamah moved into Taliesin, the new house Wright was building for them, while it was still under construction. A dispute with one of their domestic employees, Julian Carlton, resulted in the slaying of Mamah and her two children, John and Martha, who happened to be visiting (Edwin still had primary custody). Four others were also murdered during this event.

Edwin Cheney later remarried and moved to Webster Groves, Missouri. The Edwin H. Cheney House is used as a bed & breakfast.

An opera, Shining Brow, covers the story of the Cheneys and Wrights, from when they meet in Wright's office, through the aftermath of Mamah's death. Music by Daron Hagen and lyrics by Paul Muldoon.