Sir Christopher Wren - Information, Featured Articles

Sir Christopher Wren

London's top architect, Sir Christopher Wren, born in 1632, was responsible for much of the rebuilding of London following The Great Fire of 1666.

Wren drew up plans to rebuild the whole area destroyed in fire but agreement on the plans was never reached. He did however, manage to rebuild many London churches, including his most important work, St Paul's Cathedral.

Wren was not just a talented architect; he was also a respected mathematician, scientist, politician and astronomer. As a scientist, among other achievements, he pioneered experiments that lead to successful blood transfusions.

At the age of 25 he became professor of astronomy in London. Years later when King Charles II decided to build the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, appropriately Wren was given the task.

Wren died in London in 1723 and is buried in an unassuming tomb in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral.