Christopher Wren Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Christopher Wren was a famous British architect. He rebuilt many of the churches in London after the Great Fire and designed numerous buildings that still stand today.

Childhood And Early Life

Christopher Wren was born on October 20, 1632, in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England. His father Christopher Sr. was a rector. Christopher Wren was the only child to survive in the family.

Education

Christopher Wren was schooled at home, mostly because of his fragile health. He showed promise with his strength in mathematics. Later he attended Westminster School. After that, he studied at the Wadham College at Oxford University.

He mostly studied Latin and Aristotle but focused much of his time on science and math. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1651, then completed his master's degree in 1653. His background was in anatomy, physics, and astronomy.

Career

After earning his master's degree, Wren went on to be a fellow at All Souls College in Oxford. There he conducted research and experiments. Wren was later the Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College in London in 1657. In 1660, he co-founded the Royal Society, a fellowship of eminent scientists and mathematicians. In 1661, Wren returned to Oxford as the Savilian professor of astronomy. Christopher Wren's first experience in architecture was in 1662. He designed the Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford. The building that was going to house ceremonies for the institution gave him credibility as an architect.

He later toured France to learn more about architectural styles including Renaissance and Baroque. In 1666, the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city. It left around 100,000 people without homes as 13,200 houses were completely burned. Even landmarks such as 90 churches could not be saved. King Charles II created a commission to rebuild the city, and he chose Wren to be a part of it. His title was Surveyor of Works, and he held that position from 1669 to 1718.

Overall, Wren designed 51 new churches. Some of the architectural designs that Wren created included:

• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Royal Hospital at Chelsea
• Trinity College's library
• Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich
• the south front of Hampton Court Palace
• Kensington Palace

His most major architectural work was the St. Paul's Cathedral. The French and Italian inspiration along with the grand dome took 35 years to build.

Later Life

After Christopher Wren was no longer the Surveyor of Works in 1718, it is said that he still continued to monitor the work of St. Paul's construction.

Personal Life And Legacy

Christopher Wren married Faith Coghill in 1669. The couple had two children. Faith died in 1675 of smallpox. He then married Jane Fitzwilliam in 1677. The couple had two children. Jane died in 1680 of tuberculosis. Wren never remarried after that.

Christopher Wren died on February 25, 1723, in London, England at the age of 90. He is buried in his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Awards And Achievements

• Member of the Wilkins Circle, later to become the Royal Society
• President of the Royal Society from 1680 to 1682
• Knighted in 1673
• Member of Parliament for Old Winsor, 1680, 1689, 1690

Summary Of Major Works

• Rebuilt 51 new churches in London after the Great Fire
• Designed St. Paul's Cathedral, London