Wren, Sir Christopher

Person

Wren, Sir Christopher

1632–1723

Sir Christopher Wren was born on 20th October 1623 in East Knoyle, Wiltshire. He was educated at home by both his father and a private tutor. The details of his schooling are not well-known, but he learned both to draw and to read Latin. Wren then entered Wadham College, Oxford, in June of 1650. He graduated BA the following year, and MA in 1653. In the same year, he was elected to a fellowship at All Souls College, but also spent much time in London. Wren continued to pursue his interests in invention and scientific research. In 1657, he was appointed to the chair of astronomy at Gresham College in the City of London. His inaugural lecture at the College survives in both Latin and English. In 1664, he was incorporated MA at Cambridge.

Wren is probably most famous for his contributions to the field of architecture. After the Reformation, his association with the Royal Society brought him to the attention of King Charles II, and he came to give unofficial advice on the restoration of St Paul’s Cathedral in 1661. Wren had mastered the art of architecture by the early 1660’s. His study of architecture led him to travel to France between 1665 and 1666, incidentally avoiding most of the Great Plague of London. Wren’s architectural projects included the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, a series of chapel screens in various Colleges, and the new chapel and cloister range at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. However, he is most famous for rebuilding St Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire of London. He helped guide the regulations for building in London which followed the city’s recovery from the fire.

Wren married twice, both times briefly, and had two children with each of his wives. He died on the 25th February 1723, and was buried in the crypt at St Paul’s.

Kerry Downs, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2012): https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-30019#odnb-9780198614128-e-30019-div1-d120438e2879