Sir Christopher Wren.

Repro ID: PU2723

Description: Christopher Wren was born in Wiltshire in 1632. He became the Gresham Professor of Astronomy in London in 1657, and later the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford. In 1663, he was asked to design a new chapel for Pembroke College, Cambridge. This, his first foray into architecture, was quickly followed by more commissions. London's Great Fire of 1666 gave Wren a chance to present a scheme to rebuild the city. In 1669 Charles II appointed Wren Surveyor General of the King's Works. In this capacity, he supervised all work on the royal palaces. In 1673 Wren resigned his Oxford professorship because of the workload. He was also knighted in 1673. Wren died in London in 1723.

Creator: Sir Godfrey Kneller (artist): Alexander Bannerman (engraver)

Date: 1646-1723

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London