The brilliance of Sir Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren was an astronomer, geometer and designer from the 17th century who was also according to many historians, the greatest English architect of his generation. Throughout his entire career Wren would design an unprecedented 53 churches, all within the city of London in addition to many secular structures.
Among these churches was the highly regarded St. Paul's Cathedral. He was also an accomplished scientist, being one of the founders of the distinguished Royal Society and served as the organisation's president from 1680 to 1682. His considerable contributions to the world of science have been acknowledged by no less than the noted scientists Sir Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal.
Christopher Wren was born on October 20th, 1632 at East Knoyle in Wiltshire. He was the only son of Christopher Wren DD to have survived childhood. The senior Wren was the rector of East Knoyle at the time of Christopher's birth and he later became the Dean of Windsor.
Dr. Wren actually had a previous son who was also named Christopher although he was born a year earlier and died shortly after birth. The two Christopher’s were often confused with each other even as recently as the 20th century.
Wren was somewhat sickly as a child and had frequent bouts of consumption. It came as a bit of a surprise to many therefore that he lived to such an old age.
It was largely due to his fragile condition that he received his earliest education at home, under the instruction of various tutors and his father. When the senior Wren was given the position Dean of Windsor in March of 1635, the whole family began to spend several weeks there every year.
There were reports that Christopher became close friends with the son of King Charles I and spent plenty of time playing together, but although the two certainly did have occasion to meet several times, these reports were probably greatly exaggerated.
Accounts of Christopher Wren's further education are equally vague. While some texts report that he attended Westminster School for 5 years, from 1641 to 1646 these reports have not been substantiated. A biography published by his son (also named Christopher) entitled Parentalia mentions that he was at Westminster but did not disclose the exact period of time.
Early drawings and school exercises that have been confirmed to be those of Wren showed that he received extensive lessons in Latin. Wren went on to attend Wadham College in Oxford on June 25th, 1650.
Christopher Wren already had made a substantial name for himself in the field of science before embarking on his career as an architect. It was a normal activity for well-educated and wealthy gentlemen of that day to take up architecture as a pastime.
He quickly distinguished himself in this new profession and embarked on a number of architectural projects that cemented his reputation as one of England's finest creative minds.
Among Christopher Wren's most notable works are the aforementioned St. Paul's Cathedral, the monument to the Great Fire, the Trinity College library and the Royal Observatory.
Christopher Wren died on February 25th, 1723.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 30/07/2008
