Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren (20 October 1632 – 25 February 1723) was a 17th century English architect, designer, astronomer and geometer. He designed 51 churches in London after the Great Fire of London, including St. Paul's Cathedral.[1][2]
Sir Christopher Wren | |
|---|---|
 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, 1722] (aged 90) St James's, London, England |
| Nationality | English (later British) |
| Alma mater | Wadham College, Oxford |
| Known for | Designer of 54 churches including St Paul's Cathedral, as well as many secular buildings of note in London after the Great Fire |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Architecture, physics, astronomy and mathematics |
| Academic advisors | William Oughtred |
Wren was born on 20 October 1632 in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England. He was educated at Westminster School and Oxford University. He showed an early talent for mathematics. He invented an instrument for writing in the dark and a pneumatic machine. In 1657, Wren was appointed professor of astronomy at Gresham College in London. Four years later, he was appointed professor of astronomy at Oxford. In 1662, he was one of the founding members of the Royal Society.
Wren developed an interest in architecture following his studies of physics and engineering. In 1664 and 1665, Wren designed the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford and a chapel for Pembroke College, Cambridge. Thereafter, architecture became his main focus. In 1665, Wren visited Paris. He studied French and Italian baroque styles.
In 1666, the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the medieval city. Wren produced ambitious plans for rebuilding the whole area. His plans were rejected, partly because property owners insisted on keeping the sites of their destroyed buildings. Wren did design 51 new city churches, including a new St Paul's Cathedral. In 1669, he was appointed surveyor of the royal works. This gave him control of all government building in the country. He was knighted in 1673.
In 1675, Wren was commissioned to design the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. In 1682, he designed a hospital in Chelsea, London for retired soldiers, and in 1696 a hospital for sailors in Greenwich. Other buildings include Trinity College Library in Cambridge (1677 - 1692), and the facade of Hampton Court Palace (1689 - 1694). Wren often worked with the same team of craftsmen, including master plasterer John Groves and wood carver Grinling Gibbons.
Wren died on 25 February 1723. He was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. His gravestone features a Latin inscription which translates as: 'If you seek his memorial, look about you.'[3]
Gallery of architectural work
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford University
Interior, 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)
St. Paul's Cathedral, south transept & dome
The Lantern, St. Paul's Cathedral
Top of north-west tower, St. Paul's Cathedral
The nave of St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral, interior of the dome
Temple Bar London
Library, Trinity College, Cambridge University
Library, Trinity College, Cambridge University, from the river
Library interior, Trinity College, Cambridge University
Marlborough House, Westminster as designed by Wren
Marlborough House, Westminster as altered
Hampton Court Palace, south front
Hampton Court Palace, east front
Kensington Palace, south front
Royal Hospital Chelsea, south front
Royal Hospital Chelsea, The Chapel
Royal Hospital Chelsea, Dining Hall
Greenwich Hospital, north front
Greenwich Hospital, Painted Hall
Greenwich Hospital, the Dome, Painted Hall
St. Bride's Fleet Street, spire
St. Mary-le-Bow, steeple
St. Mary-le-Bow, interior
St Benet's Paul's Wharf
St. Margaret Pattens
St. Lawrence Jewry
St. Mary Abchurch, interior of dome
St. Mary Abchurch
St. Peter Upon Cornhill
St. Stephen's Walbrook, exterior
St. Stephen's Walbrook, interior
Christchurch, Newgate St
St. Magnus-the-Martyr, steeple
St. Magnus-the-Martyr, interior
St. Vedast Foster Lane
St. James Piccadilly
St. James Piccadilly, interior
St. Clement Danes
St. Clement Danes, interior
St. Martin within Ludgate
The Monument to the great fire of London
Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, the Chapel
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, demolished
Library, Lincoln Cathedral
Winslow Hall, Buckinghamshire
The chapel, Pembroke College, Cambridge University
The interior looking west, The chapel, Pembroke College, Cambridge University
Windsor Guidhall
Christopher Wren Media
Wadham College, Oxford, where Wren was a student in 1650–51
Wren, portrait c. 1690 by John Closterman
Crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, Wren's memorial on the left
Wren spent a portion of his scientific career at Gresham College
St Bride's Church (1670–84)
Royal Hospital Chelsea (1682–92)
Hampton Court (1689–1702)
The Wren Library at Trinity College, Cambridge, is one of a number of the architect's commissions that now bear his name
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References
- ↑ Tinniswood, Adrian 2001. His Invention so furtile: the Life of Christopher Wren. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-514989-0
- ↑ Vaughan Hart. 1995. St Paul's Cathedral: Sir Christopher Wren. Phaidon, London. ISBN 0714829986
- ↑ BBC: Christopher Wren