Background
Christopher Wren was born on October 20, 1632, in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, to Christopher Wren Sr., the rector of East Knoyle, and his wife, Mary Cox. He had several sisters including Catherine, Susan, and Elizabeth.
Wadham College, Oxford, where Wren was a student in 1650–51
Wren's cathedral as built.
Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge University
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford University
Tom Tower, Christ Church, Oxford University
St. Paul's Cathedral, west front
St. Paul's Cathedral, north side with the Chapter House (also by Wren)
Temple Bar, London
Hampton Court Palace, south front
Kensington Palace, south front
Royal Hospital Chelsea, The Chapel
Greenwich Hospital, north front
St. Mary-le-Bow, steeple
St Benet's Paul's Wharf
St. Margaret Pattens
St. Peter Upon Cornhill
Christchurch, Newgate St
St. Martin within Ludgate
Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, the Chapel
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
The Chapel, Pembroke College, Cambridge University
architect Astronomer designer Geometrician
Christopher Wren was born on October 20, 1632, in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, to Christopher Wren Sr., the rector of East Knoyle, and his wife, Mary Cox. He had several sisters including Catherine, Susan, and Elizabeth.
Wren received his early education from Rev. William Shepherd, a local clergyman. He was an intelligent child and developed an interest in mathematics from a young age.
Later, he studied at the Westminster School and in 1649, attended Wadham College, Oxford. His primary subjects were Latin and the works of Aristotle in college but he also showed much interest in science and mathematics at Oxford. In 1651, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and completed his M. A. in the next two years.
In 1660, Wren became one of the founding members of the ‘The Royal Society’, along with other mathematicians, scientists and scholars. The following year, Wren was appointed the Savilian professor of astronomy at Oxford.
In 1662, Wren first ventured into architecture and subsequently designed the Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford, a building intended for university ceremonies. This work earned him much acclaim as an architect.
In 1665, Wren toured France for several months to acquire knowledge about the French Renaissance and Baroque architecture. This journey proved to be a rich source of inspiration for him and had significant influence on his future works.
The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed much of London and reduced most of the city to a smoking desert. Subsequently, Wren was chosen by King Charles II as a member of the commission created to undertake the reconstruction of the city.
Being one of the chief architects on the committee, Wren was given the responsibility to replace the 87 parish churches demolished by the Great Fire. In 1669, he was appointed ‘Surveyor of Works’ to Charles II, a post which he held until 1718.
By 1670, Wren was also working on designs for a new St. Paul's Cathedral, which eventually materialized into his masterpiece. While working on the City Churches, he also undertook several other projects.
Some other examples of Wren's brilliant architecture are the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, the library at Trinity College, and the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich. He was also responsible for remodeling the south front of Hampton Court Palace.
In addition to being an outstanding architect, Wren was also a notable anatomist, astronomer, geometer, and mathematician-physicist. He also served as an active Member of Parliament for Old Windsor in 1680, 1689 and 1690.
Sir Christopher Wren died on February 25, 1723, in London, England.
Quotations:
"A time will come when men will stretch out their eyes. They should see planets like our Earth."
"The secret of architectural excellence is to translate the proportions of a dachshund into bricks, mortar and marble."
"In things to be seen at once, much variety makes confusion, another vice of beauty. In things that are not seen at once, and have no respect one to another, great variety is commendable, provided this variety transgress not the rules of optics and geometry."
"Variety of uniformities makes complete beauty."
"Choose an author as you choose a friend."
"He was of opinion that what we now vulgarly call the Gothick, ought properly and truly be named Saracenick Architecture refined by the Christians."
"Mathematical demonstrations being built upon the impregnable Foundations of Geometry and Arithmetick are the only truths that can sink into the Mind of Man, void of all Uncertainty; and all other Discourses participate more or less of Truth according as their Subjects are more or less capable of Mathematical Demonstration."
Quotes from others about the person
Robert Hooke said of him: "Since the time of Archimedes there scarce ever met in one man in so great perfection such a mechanical hand and so philosophical mind. "
In 1669, Wren married Faith Coghill, daughter of Sir John Coghill of Bletchingdon. They had two sons: Gilbert, who died at the age of 18 months and Christopher. Unfortunately, Faith died in 1675.
In 1677, Wren married Jane Fitzwilliam, daughter of William FitzWilliam, 2nd Baron FitzWilliam. The couple had two children; a daughter, Jane, and a son named William. Unfortunately, in 1680, Jane too died of illness. Wren never married again.