Christopher Wren

30 October 1632 – 8 March 1723

Sir Christopher Wren was an English architect, astronomer and mathematician, widely regarded as one of the greatest architects in British history. A founder of the Royal Society, he led the rebuilding of London's churches after the Great Fire of 1666, crowned by his masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral.

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Life events

Born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England
30 October 1632

Christopher Wren was born on 30 October 1632, the son of the rector of East Knoyle who later became Dean of Windsor.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied at Wadham College, Oxford
1650 – 1653

Wren entered Wadham College, Oxford in 1650, graduating BA in 1651 and MA in 1653, and became a fellow of All Souls College.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, London
1657

In 1657 Wren became Gresham Professor of Astronomy, and his London lectures became a gathering point for the scientists who would found the Royal Society.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Helped found the Royal Society
28 November 1660

Wren was a founding member of the Royal Society in 1660 and later served as its president from 1680 to 1682.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford
1661

In 1661 Wren took up the Savilian chair of astronomy at Oxford, a post he held while increasingly turning to architecture.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led the rebuilding of London's churches after the Great Fire
September 1666

Following the Great Fire of September 1666, Wren produced a plan for rebuilding the city and went on to design more than fifty new parish churches in London.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Surveyor of the King's Works
1669

In 1669 King Charles II appointed Wren Surveyor of the King's Works, effectively placing him in charge of royal building projects in England.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Knighted by King Charles II
14 November 1673

Wren was knighted in 1673 in recognition of his services as architect and surveyor.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Built St Paul's Cathedral
21 June 1675 – 1711

Construction of Wren's masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral, began in 1675 and was declared complete by Parliament in 1711, the dome having been finished in 1710.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in London and was buried in St Paul's Cathedral
8 March 1723

Sir Christopher Wren died on 8 March 1723 (New Style) at the age of ninety and was interred in the crypt of St Paul's beneath his famous epitaph.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓