Christopher Wren

English architect, astronomer, and mathematician (1632-1723).

Life and Work

Before he was the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, Wren was a professor of astronomy at Oxford and one of the Royal Society’s leading mathematicians. He made contributions to optics, mechanics, and the study of curves.

The Great Fire of London (1666) gave him his second career. He designed 51 London churches and oversaw the rebuilding of St Paul’s, a project that took 35 years. His close collaborator on many building projects was Robert Hooke, who served as City Surveyor.

Wren was a founding member of the Royal Society and one of the few people of the era who moved easily between mathematics, science, and practical engineering.

In the Novel

Wren is part of Daniel’s circle of natural philosophers in London, appearing alongside Hooke and other Royal Society figures.