| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
| Contents | ||
Wren is particularly known for his design for St Paul's Cathedral, one of very few cathedrals in England to have been built after the medieval period, and the only Renaissance cathedral in the country. An inscription inside the cathedral, dedicated to the architect, reads, "Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice" ("Reader, if you seek his memorial, look around you").
Born in 1632 in Wiltshire, Wren was the son of the dean of WindsorWindsor (usually pronounced 'winzer', but the d may be included) is a small town in Berkshire on the south-western outskirts of London, south of the River Thames. It is the location of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British royal fa. His academic career was centered at OxfordUniversity of Oxford Motto Dominus Illuminatio Mea ("The Lord is my Light") ( Psalm 27) Established c. 1096 School type Public Chancellor The Right Hon. Chris Patten Vice-Chancellor Dr. John Hood Location Oxford, United Kingdom Enrolment 17,000 total (5,6, where he was a member of both WadhamWadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, wealthy Somerset landowners, during the reign of King James I. Nicholas Wadham died in 1609 leaving his for and All Soul'sAll Souls College (in full: The College of All Souls of the Faithful Departed, of Oxford is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. All Souls is an oddity in that it has no students, consisting entirely of Fellow Colleges. In 1657Events January 8 Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. April 20 Admiral Robert Blake destr, he became professor of astronomyAstronomy which etymologically means " law of the stars," (from Greek: + nomos) is a science involving the observation and explanation of events occurring outside Earth and its atmosphere. It studies the origins, evolution, physical and chemical propertie at Gresham CollegeGresham College is an unusual institution of higher learning in London, which enrols no students and grants no degrees; its lectures are free and open to the public. It was founded in 1597 by Sir Thomas Gresham who also established London's Royal Exchange and four years later he became the Savilian Professor of astronomy at Oxford until his resignation in 1673Events The English Test Act was passed. It disallowed Catholics from holding high public office. France begins its expedition against Ceylon. March 18 John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton sells his part of New Jersey to the Quakers. May 17 Trader. Wren was also one of the founding members of the Royal Society, of which he was president from 1680 to 1682.
His first serious architectural venture was the Sheldonian Theatre, which can still be seen at Oxford, and he designed various other university buildings in both Oxford and Cambridge.
After the Great Fire of London, he was selected as the architect of St Paul's, the previous building having been destroyed. The design and construction of the new cathedral took from 1675 to 1710, and in the interim Wren designed many other buildings, including over fifty London churches, many of which remain standing. These include St Bride's, St Mary le Bow, St Clement Danes, St Benet Paul's Wharf, and St Stephen Walbrook . In addition, he was involved in the design of the Monument to the Great Fire of London, Royal Greenwich Observatory, Chelsea Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Marlborough House, the Ashmolean Museum, the Wren Library, and many other distinguished buildings.
Christopher Wren was Knighted in 1673 and also served as a member of Parliament in 1685- 1688 and 1702- 1705.
Wren died in 1723 and was buried at St Paul's.