Editing Christopher Wren (section)

== Life and works ==
Wren was born in [[East Knoyle]] in [[Wiltshire]], the only surviving son of [[Christopher Wren (priest)|Christopher Wren the Elder]] and Mary Cox, the only child of the Wiltshire squire Robert Cox from [[Fonthill Bishop]]. Christopher Sr. was, at that time, the rector of East Knoyle and, later, [[Dean of Windsor]]. It was while they were living at East Knoyle that all their children were born; Mary, Catherine and Susan were all born by 1628, but then several children who were born died within a few weeks of their birth. Christopher was born in 1632. Then, two years later, another daughter named Elizabeth was born. Mary must have died shortly after the birth of Elizabeth, although there does not appear to be any surviving record of the date. Through Mary Cox, however, the family became well off financially for, as the only heir, she had inherited her father's estate.<ref name="historyq">{{Cite web |date=17 May 2003 |title=Question: Wren's connection with Wiltshire |website=[[Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre]] |url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Question/Details/131 |publisher=Wiltshire Council |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref>

As a child Wren "seem'd consumptive".<ref>{{harvnb|Wren|Ames|Wren|1750}}</ref> Although a sickly child, he would survive into robust old age. He was first taught at home by a private tutor and his father. After his father's royal appointment as Dean of [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] in March 1635, his family spent part of each year there, but little is known about Wren's life at Windsor. He spent his first eight years at East Knoyle and was educated by the Rev. William Shepherd, a local clergyman.<ref name="historyq"/>

Little is known of Wren's schooling thereafter, during dangerous times when his father's Royal associations would have required the family to keep a very low profile from the ruling Parliamentary authorities. It was a tough time in his life, but one which would go on to have a significant impact upon his later works. The story that he was at [[Westminster School]] between 1641 and 1646 is substantiated only by ''Parentalia'', the biography compiled by his son, a fourth Christopher, which places him there "for some short time" before going up to [[Oxford]] (in 1650); however, it is entirely consistent with headmaster [[Richard Busby|Doctor Busby]]'s well-documented practice of educating the sons of impoverished Royalists and Puritans alike, irrespective of current politics or his own position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Christopher Wren |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/architecture-biographies/sir-christopher-wren |website=encyclopedia.com |access-date=31 August 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Wadham College.jpg|thumb|[[Wadham College]], Oxford, where Wren was a student in 1650–51]]
Some of Wren's youthful exercises preserved or recorded (though few are datable) showed that he received a thorough grounding in [[Latin]] and also learned to draw. According to ''Parentalia'', he was "initiated" in the principles of mathematics by [[William Holder]], who married Wren's elder sister Susan (or Susanna) in 1643. His drawing was put to academic use in providing many of the anatomical drawings for the anatomy textbook of the brain, ''Cerebri Anatome'' (1664), published by [[Thomas Willis]], who coined the term "neurology".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-30/april-2017/five-depictions-brain|title=Five depictions of the brain – ''The Psychologist''|work=bps.org.uk|access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref> During this time period, Wren became interested in the design and construction of mechanical instruments. It was probably through Holder that Wren met [[Sir Charles Scarburgh]] whom Wren assisted in his anatomical studies.{{citation needed|date = October 2015}}
Another sister Anne Brunsell, married a clergyman and is buried in [[Stretham]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Pevsner|first=Nikolaus|title=The buildings of England: Cambridgeshire|year=1970|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=0-14-071010-8|authorlink=Nikolaus Pevsner|edition=2nd |page=462}}</ref>

On 25 June 1650, Wren entered [[Wadham College, Oxford]], where he studied Latin and the works of [[Aristotle]]. It is anachronistic to imagine that he received scientific training in the modern sense. However, Wren became closely associated with [[John Wilkins]], the [[Warden of Wadham College|Warden of Wadham]]. The [[Wilkins circle]] was a group whose activities led to the formation of the [[Royal Society]], comprising a number of distinguished mathematicians, creative workers and experimental philosophers. This connection probably influenced Wren's studies of science and mathematics at Oxford. He graduated B.A. in 1651, and two years later received M.A.<ref>{{cite book |last=Downes |first=Kerry |title=Christopher Wren |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=New York |date=2007 |oclc=83977472 |isbn=9780199215249}}</ref>

===1653–1664===
[[File:Templeofrosycross.png|alt=Wren was part of the group around John Wilkins, known as the Invisible College. This is the emblematic image of a Rosicrucian College, an illustration from Speculum sophicum Rhodo-stauroticum, a 1618 work by Theophilus Schweighardt.|thumb|Wren was part of the group around [[John Wilkins]], known as the [[Invisible College]].  This is the emblematic image of a [[Rosicrucian]] College, an illustration from ''Speculum sophicum Rhodo-stauroticum'', a 1618 work by [[Theophilus Schweighardt]]. ]]
After receiving his [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] in 1653, Wren was elected a fellow of [[All Souls College, Oxford|All Souls' College]] in the same year and began an active period of research and experiment in Oxford.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bolton|first=Glorney|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QCkRAQAAMAAJ|title=Sir Christopher Wren|date=1956|publisher=Hutchinson|pages=37|language=en}}</ref> Among these were a number of physiological experiments on dogs, including one now recognized as the first injection of fluids into the bloodstream of a live animal under laboratory conditions. At Oxford he became part of the group around [[John Wilkins]], he was key to the correspondence network known as the [[Invisible College]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Higgitt |first=Rebekah |date=2014-10-20 |title=Google Doodle forgets to celebrate Christopher Wren the man of science |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/the-h-word/2014/oct/20/google-doodle-forgets-to-celebrate-christopher-wren-the-man-of-science |access-date=2023-02-21 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>  Within the arms of All Souls, the arms of Wren's friend [[Robert Boyle]] appear in the colonnade of the Great Quadrangle, opposite the arms of the [[Rowland Hill (MP)|Hill]] family of [[Shropshire]], close by a sundial designed by Boyle's friend Wren.<ref>{{Cite web |last=History of Science Museum Oxford University |title=The Virtual Oxford Science Walk |url=https://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/features/walk/loc5.htm |archive-url=}}</ref>
[[File:Christopher Wren's home in Hampton, UK.jpg|thumb|Christopher Wren's home in Hampton, UK. It is located opposite the Hampton Court Palace's main gate.]]
His days as a fellow of All Souls ended when Wren was appointed Professor of Astronomy at [[Gresham College]], London, in 1657.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Tinniswood|first=Adrian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=en46Z3_MHSAC|title=His Invention So Fertile: A Life of Christopher Wren|date=2002|publisher=Pimlico|isbn=978-0-7126-7364-8|pages=115–129|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Rabbitts|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lK13DwAAQBAJ|title=Sir Christopher Wren|year=2019|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-78442-323-0|pages=13|language=en}}</ref> He was there provided with a set of rooms and a stipend and required to give weekly lectures in both Latin and English.<ref name=":1" /> Wren took up this new work with enthusiasm. He continued to meet the men with whom he had frequent discussions in Oxford. They attended his London lectures and in 1660, initiated formal weekly meetings. It was from these meetings that the Royal Society, England's premier scientific body, was to develop. He undoubtedly played a major role in the early life of what would become the Royal Society; his great breadth of expertise in so many different subjects helped in the exchange of ideas between the various scientists. In fact, the report on one of these meetings reads:

{{blockquote|Memorandum November 28, 1660. These persons following according to the usual custom of most of them, met together at Gresham College to hear Mr Wren's lecture, viz. The [[William Brouncker, 2nd Viscount Brouncker|Lord Brouncker]], [[Robert Boyle|Mr Boyle]], [[Alexander Bruce, 2nd Earl of Kincardine|Mr Bruce]], [[Robert Moray|Sir Robert Moray]], [[Paul Neile|Sir Paule Neile]], [[John Wilkins|Dr Wilkins]], [[Jonathan Goddard|Dr Goddard]], [[William Petty|Dr Petty]], [[William Ball (astronomer)|Mr Ball]], [[Lawrence Rooke|Mr Rooke]], Mr Wren, [[Abraham Hill|Mr Hill]]. And after the lecture was ended they did according to the usual manner, withdraw for mutual converse.<ref name=MacTutor>{{cite web |url=http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Wren.html |title=Sir Christopher Wren |work=The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive |access-date=30 September 2006}}</ref>}}

In 1662, they proposed a society "for the promotion of Physico-Mathematicall Experimental Learning". This body received its Royal Charter from [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] and "The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge" was formed. In addition to being a founder member of the Society, Wren was president of the Royal Society from 1680 to 1682.<ref name="britannica" />

In 1661, Wren was elected [[Savilian Chair of Astronomy|Savilian Professor]] of [[Astronomy]] at Oxford, and in 1669 he was appointed [[Office of Works|Surveyor of Works]] to Charles II. From 1661 until 1668 Wren's life was based in Oxford, although his attendance at meetings of the Royal Society meant that he had to make periodic trips to London.<ref name=":0" />

The main sources for Wren's scientific achievements are the records of the Royal Society. His scientific works ranged from astronomy, [[optics]], the problem of finding [[longitude]] at sea, [[cosmology]], [[mechanics]], [[microscopy]], [[surveying]], medicine and [[meteorology]]. He observed, measured, dissected, built models and employed, invented and improved a variety of instruments.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Windsor|first=Alan|date=March 1984|title=John Soane: The Making of an Architect Pierre de La Ruffinière Du Prey|journal=Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians|volume=43|issue=1|pages=84–85|doi=10.2307/989987|jstor=989987}}</ref>

===1665–1723===
It was probably around this time that Christopher Wren was drawn into redesigning a battered [[St Paul's Cathedral]]. Making a trip to Paris in 1665, Wren studied architecture, which had reached a climax of creativity, and perused the drawings of [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini|Bernini]], the great Italian sculptor and architect, who himself was visiting Paris at the time. Returning from Paris, he made his first design for St Paul's. A week later, however, the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]] destroyed two-thirds of the city. Wren submitted his plans for rebuilding the city to King Charles II, although they were never adopted. With his appointment as King's Surveyor of Works in 1669, he had a presence in the general process of rebuilding the city, but was not directly involved with the rebuilding of houses or companies' halls. Wren was personally responsible for the rebuilding of [[List of Christopher Wren churches in London|51 churches]]; however, it is not necessarily true to say that each of them represented his own fully developed design.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

Wren was [[Knight Bachelor|knighted]] on 14 November 1673.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Meridew|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=luZhAAAAcAAJ|title=A Catalogue of Engraved Portraits of Nobility, Gentry, Clergymen and Others, Born, Resident In, Or Connected with the County of Warwick: Alphabetically Arranged, with Names of the Painters and Engravers, ... to which are Added Numerous Biographical Notices, ...|date=1848|publisher=|pages=77|language=en}}</ref> This honour was bestowed on him after his resignation from the Savilian chair in Oxford, by which time he had already begun to make his mark as an architect, both in services to the Crown and in playing an important part in rebuilding London after the Great Fire.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

Additionally, he was sufficiently active in public affairs to be returned as [[Member of Parliament]] on four occasions.<ref name=HoC7>{{cite web |title=Sir Christopher Wren, 1632–1723 |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/wren-sir-christopher-1632-1723 |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> Wren first stood for [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] in a by-election in 1667 for the [[Cambridge University (UK Parliament constituency)|Cambridge University constituency]], losing by six votes to Sir [[Charles Wheler]].<ref name=HoC5>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/constituencies/cambridge-university|title=Cambridge University, 1660–1690 |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> He was unsuccessful again in a by-election for the [[Oxford University (UK Parliament constituency)|Oxford University constituency]] in 1674, losing to [[Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth|Thomas Thynne]].<ref name=HoC6>{{cite web |title=Oxford University, 1660–1690 |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/constituencies/oxford-university |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> At his third attempt Wren was successful, and he sat for [[Plympton Erle (UK Parliament constituency)|Plympton Erle]] during the [[Loyal Parliament]] of 1685 to 1687.<ref name=HoC4>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/constituencies/plympton-erle|title=Plympton Erle, 1660–1690 |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> Wren was returned for [[Windsor (UK Parliament constituency)|New Windsor]] on 11 January 1689 in the [[1689 English general election|general election]], but his election was declared void on 14 May 1689.<ref name=HoC1>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/constituencies/new-windsor|title=New Windsor, 1660–1690 |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> He was elected again for New Windsor on [[1690 English general election|6 March 1690]], but this election was declared void on 17 May 1690.<ref name=HoC2>{{cite web |title=New Windsor, 1690–1715 |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/constituencies/new-windsor |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> Over a decade later he was elected unopposed for [[Weymouth and Melcombe Regis (UK Parliament constituency)|Weymouth and Melcombe Regis]] at the [[December 1701 English general election|November 1701 general election]]. He retired at the [[1702 English general election|general election]] the following year.<ref name=HoC3>{{cite web |title=Weymouth and Melcolme Regis, 1690–1715 |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/constituencies/weymouth-and-melcombe-regis |work=[[The History of Parliament]] |access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref>