Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Ralph Barton death by force case profile photo

Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton

Case from New-york, NY dated May 19, 1931

Victim Details

Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton

Male

White / Caucasian

New-york

NY

1931-05-19

39

Ralph

Waldo Emerson Barton

06/21/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
In the spring of 1931, the vibrant and tumultuous life of the celebrated artist Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton came to a tragic end in his East Midtown Manhattan penthouse. At the age of 39, the man whose caricatures had deftly captured the spirit of the Jazz Age turned a gun on himself. On May 19, 1931, Barton, a male, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the right temple. His death was a shock to the public who had come to know him through his witty and incisive illustrations that graced th ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Ralph Barton - Wikimedia Commons
  • The New Yorker: A Case of Melancholia
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 6 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    It's so tragic to read about Ralph Barton. It's clear he was an incredibly talented artist, yet he s... ...Read More
    11/21/2023
    After reading more about Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton's tragic end, my heart goes out to him and his l... ...Read More
    07/18/2023
    I’ve been looking into the life of Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton and one thing that really stands out... ...Read More
    01/03/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Ralph Waldo Emerson Barton

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from New-york, New-york

    Armando Rosario death by force case in New-york, NY

    Armando Rosario

    Death: Mar 25, 1992
    On a Wednesday afternoon, March 25, 1992, in the Union Port section of the Bronx, 23-year-old Auxili l ...Read More
    Tyrone Swinton death by force case in New-york, NY

    Tyrone Swinton

    Death: Feb 29, 2024
    In the heart of Harlem, a mentor's kindness was tragically repaid with violence, leading to the unti t ...Read More
    Luis Dela Cruz death by force case in New-york, NY

    Luis Dela Cruz

    Death: Nov 14, 2019
    On a November evening in 2019, the life of a 20-year-old aspiring rapper from New York was cut short r ...Read More
    Terrance Walker death by force case in New-york, NY

    Terrance Walker

    Death: Dec 17, 2016
    In the early morning hours of December 17, 2016, the life of 27-year-old Terrance Walker was tragica c ...Read More
    Burnie Pleasant death by force case in New-york, NY

    Burnie Pleasant

    Death: Nov 15, 2023
    In the heart of Harlem, on a Wednesday evening in November, the life of Burnie Pleasant, a 32-year-o - ...Read More
    Jorg Wenz death by force case in New-york, NY

    Jorg Wenz

    Death: Nov 19, 1980
    In the crisp autumn air of a November evening in 1980, the vibrant life of Greenwich Village was sha h ...Read More
    Ted Donald death by force case in New-york, NY

    Ted Donald

    Death: Jun 15, 1979
    In the summer of 1979, a dedicated New York City Housing Authority Police Officer lost his life in t ...Read More