Christopher Wren: Difference between revisions

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Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723), best known as the architect of St Paul's cathedral, was an astronomer, geographer, mathematician, physicist, in addition to being one of the best known British architects of all times. He was educated at Westminster School and later read latin and physics at Wadham College, Oxford. There he met John Wilkins, who became a friend. Wren graduated B.A. in 1651 and M.A. in 1653, after which he became a fellow at All Souls College. However, in 1657 he was appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College in London. As lecture attendence was free, a group of interested men soon formed, regularly frequenting Wrens lectures. These, John Wilkins, Wren himself and a number of other likeminded scientist, in 1662 founded the Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge. He later, in the 1680s became president of the Royal Society. Wrens interest as a scientist were very broad, encompassing astronomy, optics, geography, cosmology, mechanics, microscopy, surveying, medicine and meteorology.

In the mid-1660s Wren became interested in architecture, and studied a great number of buildings and books on the topic. After the Great Fire of 1666, he submitted a masterplan for rebuilding the whole city. While this was never adopted, Wren was appointed King’s Surveyor of Works, the highest position in the building industry in all of Britain.

Source:

Oxford Companion to English Literature.

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--1723. Educated at Westminster School and Wadham College, Oxford. Founding member of the Royal Society. Started out as professor of anatomy at Gresham College, then became professor of astronomy at Oxford. Famous, however, as architect who shaped London after the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]]. Among the famous buildings which he designed are [[St Paul's Cathedral]] and [[The Monument]].
+'''Sir Christopher Wren''' (1632-1723), best known as the architect of [[St Paul's cathedral]], was an astronomer, geographer, mathematician, physicist, in addition to being one of the best known British architects of all times. He was educated at Westminster School and later read latin and physics at Wadham College, Oxford. There he met [[John Wilkins]], who became a friend. Wren graduated B.A. in 1651 and M.A. in 1653, after which he became a fellow at All Souls College. However, in 1657 he was appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College in London. As lecture attendence was free, a group of interested men soon formed, regularly frequenting Wrens lectures. These, John Wilkins, Wren himself and a number of other likeminded scientist, in 1662 founded the [[Royal Society|Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge]]. He later, in the 1680s became president of the Royal Society. Wrens interest as a scientist were very broad, encompassing astronomy, optics, geography, cosmology, mechanics, microscopy, surveying, medicine and meteorology.
+In the mid-1660s Wren became interested in architecture, and studied a great number of buildings and books on the topic. After the [[Great Fire]] of 1666, he submitted a masterplan for rebuilding the whole city. While this was never adopted, Wren was appointed King’s Surveyor of Works, the highest position in the building industry in all of Britain.