Christopher Wren

Introduction
Early academic career and scientific pursuits
Turn to architecture
Construction of St. Paul’s
Concurrent projects
Legacy

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Sir Christopher Wren, detail of an oil painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1711; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

St. Paul's Cathedral, London, from the southeast. Designed and built (1675–1710) under the supervision of Sir Christopher Wren, it combines Neoclassical, Gothic, and Baroque elements.

Take a trip to St. Paul's Cathedral in London and learn about its rich history

Explore London city's famous and historical landmarks, neighborhood, markets, shopping at Bates, St. Paul's Cathedral, Notting Hill, and Tower Bridge

At a Glance

Sir Christopher Wren summary

Quizzes

Close-up of a palette held by a man. Mixing paint, painting, color mixing.

Artists, Painters, & Architects

Vikings. Viking warriors hold swords and shields. 9th c. AD seafaring warriors raided the coasts of Europe, burning, plundering and killing. Marauders or pirates came from Scandinavia, now Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. European History

European History

Hagia Sophia. Istanbul, Turkey. Constantinople. Church of the Holy Wisdom. Church of the Divine Wisdom. Mosque.

Architecture: The Built World

Related Questions

How did Christopher Wren adapt the Gothic gateway of Tom Tower at Christ Church, Oxford?
How did Christopher Wren begin his career in science and mathematics?
How did Christopher Wren combine classical design with new engineering in the Sheldonian Theatre?
How did Christopher Wren learn from Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s designs for the Louvre?
How did Christopher Wren transform Hampton Court Palace?
How did Christopher Wren use assistants in rebuilding London’s churches?
How did Christopher Wren use drawings and models in his scientific work?
How did William Holder influence Christopher Wren’s early scientific studies?
How did the Great Fire of London affect Christopher Wren’s career?
How did the Rebuilding Act of 1667 change London’s streets and houses?
How did the brick cone inside St. Paul’s Cathedral support its dome?
How did the lack of major architects in England create an opportunity for Christopher Wren?
How high is the lantern and cross on the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral?
How long did it take to build Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral?
How was Christopher Wren involved in founding the Royal Society?
What did Christopher Wren design for Trinity College’s library?
What did Christopher Wren propose in his plan to rebuild London after the Great Fire?
What does Christopher Wren’s Latin epitaph at St. Paul’s Cathedral mean?
What experiments did Christopher Wren prepare for anatomist Charles Scarburgh?
What responsibilities did Christopher Wren have as surveyor of works to Charles II?
What role did iron chains play in Christopher Wren’s design for the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral?
What scientific instruments did Christopher Wren make as a student?
What was Christopher Wren’s first design for a dome at St. Paul’s Cathedral?
What was Christopher Wren’s role in designing Greenwich Hospital?
What was the Warrant Design for St. Paul’s Cathedral?
What work did Christopher Wren do at Kensington Palace for William III and Mary II?
When and where was Christopher Wren born?
When did Christopher Wren become Gresham professor of astronomy?
When did Christopher Wren become Savilian professor of astronomy at Oxford?
When did Christopher Wren become the king’s surveyor of works?
When did Christopher Wren die?
When did Christopher Wren serve as president of the Royal Society?
When did construction of Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral begin and end?
Where did Christopher Wren study at the University of Oxford?
Where was Christopher Wren buried?
Which ancient Roman building inspired Christopher Wren’s design for the Sheldonian Theatre?
Which buildings in Paris influenced Christopher Wren’s architectural ideas?
Which features of St. Paul’s Cathedral were made by Jean Tijou?
Which interior carvings at St. Paul’s Cathedral were made by Grinling Gibbons?
Which later architect was strongly influenced by Christopher Wren’s work?
Which materials were used to build Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Who were Christopher Wren’s important assistants on St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Why did 18th-century architects criticize parts of Christopher Wren’s architectural style?
Why did Christopher Wren’s Great Model for St. Paul’s Cathedral fail to win approval?
Why was Christopher Wren’s plan for rebuilding London not carried out?
Why was part of Christopher Wren’s salary withheld during the construction of St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Why was the Sheldonian Theatre built at the University of Oxford?
What is Leonardo da Vinci best known for?
How many Leonardo da Vinci paintings are there?
What was Leonardo da Vinci’s personality like?
What was Leonardo da Vinci’s family like?
Who was Leonardo apprenticed to?
What was one of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s greatest works?
Who influenced Peter Paul Rubens?

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External Websites

Art Encyclopedia - Biography of Sir Christopher Wren
Royal Museums Greenwich - Who was Sir Christopher Wren?

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Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Christopher Wren - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Christopher Wren - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Christopher Wren

English architect

Also known as: Sir Christopher Wren

Written by

John Summerson

Curator, Sir John Soane's House and Museum, London, 1945–84. Author of Inigo Jones; Sir Christopher Wren; and others.

John Summerson

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 16, 2026 •History

Christopher Wren (born October 20, 1632, East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England—died February 25, 1723, London) was a designer, astronomer, geometrician, and the greatest English architect of his time. Wren designed 53 London churches, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, 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 Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal. He was knighted in 1673. Wren was the...

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