Sir Christopher Wren

Hello! My name is Christopher Wren, and I was an architect who helped rebuild one of the world's greatest cities. I was born in England on October 20th, 1632. As a boy, I wasn't always the strongest, but my mind was always racing! I loved to learn about everything, from how our bodies work to the stars in the sky. My father was a dean, and our home was full of books and interesting people. I spent hours drawing, inventing little gadgets, and studying mathematics. This love of learning took me to the famous Oxford University, where I studied science and astronomy.

Before I designed buildings, I was known for looking at the stars! In 1661, I became a professor of astronomy at Oxford. I loved teaching students about planets and constellations. I was also a founding member of a very special club called the Royal Society, which started around 1660. It was a group for scientists like me to share our discoveries. I used my knowledge of mathematics and engineering to create models of the moon and planets. I believed that understanding science and geometry was the key to understanding the world, and this belief would soon help me in a very big way.

In 1666, a terrible thing happened. A huge fire, now called the Great Fire of London, swept through the city. For days, the flames burned, destroying thousands of homes and many beautiful old buildings, including the magnificent St. Paul's Cathedral. It was a sad time for Londoners. But from the ashes came a great opportunity. King Charles II knew the city had to be rebuilt, and he asked me to help. In 1669, I was made the Surveyor of the King's Works. It was my job to design and oversee the building of more than 50 new churches, creating a new skyline for London.

Of all the buildings I designed, my favorite was the new St. Paul's Cathedral. The old one had been completely destroyed, and I wanted to build something even more spectacular in its place. I drew up many plans, and finally, we began building in 1675. It was a huge challenge! It took 35 years to finish, but it was worth it. I designed a magnificent dome that rose high above the city. It was a symbol of hope and the city's strength. I used all my knowledge of mathematics and engineering to make sure it was both beautiful and strong.

I designed many other buildings, like the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and parts of Hampton Court Palace. I lived to be 90 years old and saw London become a beautiful, modern city once again. After my long life, I was laid to rest inside my greatest creation, St. Paul's Cathedral. If you visit it today, you can find a plaque on the floor. In Latin, it says, 'Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice'—which means, 'Reader, if you seek my monument, look around you.' I am so proud that the buildings I designed are still loved and used by people hundreds of years later.