Christopher Wren Biography and Timeline

Wren Elected Fellow Of All Souls

Wren obtained a fellowship at All Souls College Oxford while establishing his scientific career.

Wren Appointed Astronomy Professor At Gresham

Wren became professor of astronomy at Gresham College in London and delivered scientific lectures.

Wren Becomes Savilian Astronomy Professor

Wren was appointed Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, strengthening his standing among natural philosophers.

Royal Society

Wren is associated with the early Royal Society and its scientific meetings in London.

Role range: 1632-1723

Second Royal Society Charter

Wren is associated with the early Royal Society as its formal status is confirmed.

Role range: 1632-1723

Wren Helps Shape Royal Society Research

Wren participated in the Royal Society as its early charter established the organisation for experimental science.

Cerebri Anatome Illustrations

Provides illustrations for Willis's anatomical study of the brain.

Role range: 1632-1723

Wren Visits Paris Architecture

Wren travelled to Paris and studied buildings and engineering practices that influenced his later architectural work.

Wren Offers London Reconstruction Plan

Following the Great Fire, Wren proposed an ambitious new street plan for London that was not adopted.

St Pauls

Commissioned to rebuild St Pauls Cathedral after the Great Fire of London

Wren Appointed Surveyor Of Royal Works

Wren succeeded Sir John Denham as Surveyor of the King's Works, supervising significant royal building programmes.

Wren Directs City Churches Reconstruction

Wren was appointed to oversee rebuilding parish churches damaged or destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

Wren Designs Saint Magnus Church

Wren's office developed the rebuilding of St Magnus the Martyr beside London Bridge.

Wren Rebuilds Saint Mary Le Bow

Wren directed the reconstruction of St Mary le Bow, one of the prominent churches damaged in the fire.

Wren Designs Saint Stephen Walbrook

Wren's office began work on St Stephen Walbrook, celebrated for its central domed interior.

Wren Develops Great Model Cathedral

Wren prepared a large model proposing a new domed St Paul's, a design later revised for construction.

Wren Receives Knighthood

Charles II knighted Wren after he had become central to London's post-fire rebuilding effort.

St Pauls

Construction begins on construction on St Pauls

Flamsteed House Architectural Plans Prepared

Christopher Wren designed the Observatory's principal building on the heights at Greenwich. The change strengthened the relationship between astronomy and accurate clocks.

Observatory Design

Designs Flamsteed House for the new Royal Observatory.

Role range: 1675-1676

Wren Begins Saint Paul Cathedral Construction

Building work began on the new St Paul's Cathedral to a design approved under the royal warrant.

Wren Chooses Greenwich Castle Site

Christopher Wren recommended the former Greenwich Castle site because of its foundations and commanding position.

Wren Designs Flamsteed House

Wren designed the first Royal Observatory building with architectural assistance from Robert Hooke.

Wren Rebuilds Saint Anne And Agnes

Wren's office supervised reconstruction of St Anne and St Agnes in the City of London.

Wren Works On Saint James Garlickhythe

Wren's rebuilding programme encompassed St James Garlickhythe, whose interior was known for generous natural light.

Wren Designs Saint Peter Cornhill

Wren's office directed the rebuilding of St Peter upon Cornhill during the post-fire church programme.

Wren Reconstructs Saint Mary Aldermary

The reconstruction of St Mary Aldermary was associated with Wren's office, although his personal design role remains disputed.

Wren Completes Saint Stephen Walbrook

St Stephen Walbrook reached completion as an important example of Wren's use of a central dome.

Wren Rebuilds Saint Mary Abchurch

Wren's rebuilding of St Mary Abchurch produced a compact City church noted for its vaulted interior.

Wren Oversees Saint Clement Danes Restoration

Wren designed extensive rebuilding at St Clement Danes, a church beyond the area devastated by the Great Fire.

Wren Works On Saint Martin Ludgate

Wren's office supervised reconstruction of St Martin Ludgate during the later City rebuilding phase.

Wren Completes Saint Bride Reconstruction

St Bride on Fleet Street was rebuilt under Wren's direction, becoming an important landmark near the printing trades.

Wren Rebuilds Saint Benet Wharf

Wren's programme included St Benet Paul's Wharf, a parish church close to the Thames.

Wren Designs Saint Andrew Holborn

Wren directed major repairs and reconstruction at St Andrew Holborn, which had survived the Great Fire.

Wren Completes Saint Anne And Agnes

Rebuilding work at St Anne and St Agnes reached completion during Wren's City churches programme.

Wren Reconstructs Saint Mary Somerset

Wren oversaw work on St Mary Somerset during the later phase of rebuilding churches destroyed in the Great Fire.

Wren Oversees Saint Michael Royal

Wren's building programme included St Michael Paternoster Royal in the City of London.

Wren Directs Saint Margaret Lothbury Work

The reconstructed St Margaret Lothbury was completed under the wider rebuilding programme overseen by Wren.

Wren Works On Saint Andrew Wardrobe

The rebuilding of St Andrew by the Wardrobe formed part of the church works overseen by Wren.

Greenwich Hospital

Designs the Seamans Hospital at Greenwich