Sir Christopher Wren – Genius Mind Of Most Influential British Architect Of All Time
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Christopher Wren (1632-1723) was a man of considerable scientific abilities. He was regarded as the most influential British architect of all time.
Wren was born in 1632, in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England. He showed an early talent for mathematics and enjoyed inventing things. At the age of 13, he invented an astronomical instrument, a pneumatic engine and an instrument for writing in the dark.
While at Oxford, he had plans for an instrument to measure angles, a “weather wheel”, a weather clock, an instrument to write double, a surveying instrument, and a new engine to raise water.
He developed a micrometer, attached telescopic sights to telescopes and developed a double-hinged telescope for measuring angles.
In 1657, Wren was appointed professor of astronomy at Gresham College in London and four years later, professor of astronomy at Oxford.
He focused on astronomy, physics, and anatomy. He experimented with submarine design, road paving, and design of telescopes and was the greatest English architect of his time.
At the age of 25, Wren was offered the Chair of Astronomy at Gresham College, London. Wren mapped the burned city of London and was given the responsibility for replacing the 87 parish churches demolished by the Great Fire of London in September 2, 1666.
Wren did not turn to architecture until 1663, when he designed the Pembroke College Chapel at Cambridge University.
Between 1670 and 1686 he designed 51 new churches including St. Paul's Cathedral, the largest cathedral in England, which is Wren's masterpiece. He also prepared designs of many other secular buildings. They constitute a major part of the vast amount of work done by him and are known as the City Churches.
Wren was a founder of the Royal Society (president 1680-82), and his scientific work was highly regarded by Sir Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal. He was knighted in 1673.
Among his inventions, there are also: a machine to plant grain and a hothouse to grow tropical plants, a way of disinfecting sick rooms. He devoted his time to experiments with road paving and submarine design.
Wren was sixty-six years old when he finished St. Paul's. Other buildings designed by Wren included the Royal Exchange, College of Physicians, the Royal Naval College, Custom House and the Drury Lane Theatre. Chelsea Hospital. In 1682, Wren designed a Royal Hospital for soldiers at Chelsea.
When Christopher Wren died in 1723 at the age of 90, he became the first person to be buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. His tomb bears a simple inscription:
"Reader, if you seek his monument, look about you."
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
Aztecs: Facts And History About The Ancient And Powerful Mesoamerican Civilization From Aztlán
Civilizations | Apr 10, 2017
-
The Mysterious Books Of Prophecies Of The Knights Templar – Where Are They Hidden?
Featured Stories | Mar 26, 2022
-
Enigmatic Ale’s Stones – Sweden’s Megalithic Ship-Like Formation
Featured Stories | Jan 17, 2023
-
Unique Ancient Three-Headed Eagle Pendant Discovered In Finland: A Symbol Of Three Different Human Souls
Ancient Symbols | May 6, 2016
-
Elli – Norse Goddess And Symbol Of Old Age That No One Ever Could Defeat
Featured Stories | Dec 21, 2017
-
Egtved Girl’s Unique 3,400-Year-Old Style Of Dress
Featured Stories | Nov 17, 2023
-
Humans Started Wearing Clothes 100,000 To 500,000 Years Ago
Ancient History Facts | Mar 17, 2018
-
Griffins Were Mythical Gold-Guarding Hybrid Creatures Known For At Least 5,000 Years
Ancient Symbols | Mar 9, 2021
-
Mysterious Zuni Indians And Japanese People May Be Related – Did Buddhist Monks Reach North America In 1350?
Civilizations | Dec 26, 2017
-
1,600-Year-Old Estate Of Wealthy Samaritan With A Rare Greek Inscription – Discovered
Archaeology | Mar 6, 2019
-
Spectacular 2,500 Years Old Shwedagon Pagoda In Myanmar – World’s Oldest Pagoda
Featured Stories | Oct 18, 2018
-
Rare Discovery: Remains Of An Avar Warrior And A Belt Unearthed In Vinkovci, Croatia
Archaeology | May 3, 2020
-
Unusual 2,500-Year-Old Face Urns Reveal Garments, Appearance And Jewelry Of Prehistoric People
Archaeology | Nov 11, 2017
-
On This Day In History: Feast Day Of The Venerable Bede – Remarkable Priest, Monk And Scholar – On May 25, 735
News | May 25, 2016
-
Modern Banking Concept Started In Ancient Babylonian Temples
Ancient History Facts | Mar 7, 2016
-
Sphinx Statue With A Smiley Face And Two Dimples Unearthed In Qena, Egypt
Archaeology | Mar 6, 2023
-
Huge Unknown 7,000-Year-Old Vinca Settlement Found In Serbia?
Archaeology | Apr 30, 2024
-
Skidi Pawnee Indians – One Of The Best Sky Watchers Of Ancient Times And Their Star Chart
Civilizations | Jul 5, 2014
-
Evidence Of Ancient Gigantic Tsunami That Struck Tel Dor Maritime City Mound, Israel
News | Jan 1, 2021
-
Mystery Of The Second Gabriel Stone And The Man Resurrected By Archangel Gabriel
Biblical Mysteries | Sep 10, 2018