Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS (/rɛn/; 30 October 1632 [O.S. 20 October] – 8 March 1723 [O.S. 25 February]) was an English architect, astronomer, mathematician and physicist who was one of the most highly acclaimed architects in the history of England. Known for his work in the English Baroque style, he was accorded responsibility for rebuilding 52 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including what is regarded as his masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710.
Sir Christopher Wren PRS | |
|---|---|
Wren in a portrait by Godfrey Kneller (1711) | |
| Born | 30 October 1632 [O.S. 20 October] East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England |
| Died | 8 March 1723 [O.S. 25 February] (aged 90) St James's, London, England |
| Nationality | English (later British) |
| Alma mater | Wadham College, Oxford |
| Known for | Designer of 54 London churches, including St Paul's Cathedral, as well as many notable secular buildings in London after the Great Fire |
| Spouses | Faith Coghill
(m. 1669; died 1675)Jane Fitzwilliam
(m. 1677; died 1680) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | Christopher Wren the Elder Mary Cox |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Architecture, physics, astronomy and mathematics |
| Institutions | All Souls' College, Oxford |
| Academic advisors | William Oughtred |
| Surveyor of the King's Works | |
| In office 1669–1718 | |
| Preceded by | John Denham |
| Succeeded by | William Benson |
| 3rd President of the Royal Society | |
| In office 1680–1682 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Williamson |
| Succeeded by | John Hoskyns |
| Member of the English Parliament | |
| 1701–1702 | Weymouth and Melcombe Regis |
| 6 March – 17 May 1690 11 January – 14 May 1689 | New Windsor |
| 1685–1687 | Plympton Erle |
The principal creative responsibility for a number of the churches is now more commonly attributed to others in his office, especially Nicholas Hawksmoor. Other notable buildings by Wren include the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and the south front of Hampton Court Palace.
Educated in Latin and Aristotelian physics at the University of Oxford, Wren was a founder of the Royal Society and served as its president from 1680 to 1682. His scientific work was highly regarded by Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal.