Portal:London/Showcase biography/07 2009



Sir Christopher Wren (20 October 1632 – 25 February 1723) was a 17th century English designer, astronomer, geometer, mathematician-physicist and one of the greatest English architects in history. Wren designed 55 of 87 London churches after the Great fire of London in 1666, including St Paul's Cathedral in 1710, as well as many secular buildings of note. He was a founder of the Royal Society (president 1680–82), and his scientific work was highly regarded by Sir Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal.

Wren died 25 February 1723 (aged 90) with some of his work unfinished; they were completed by his 'Clerk of Works', Nicholas Hawksmoor. This included the magnificent Greenwich Naval Hospital. Wren is buried in St Paul's, with a tomb marked by a simple stone tablet bearing the words "LECTOR, SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS, CIRCUMSPICE."; or, "Reader, if you seek his memorial - look around you."


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