1632-1723. English architect, designer of St
Paul's Cathedral, London, built 1675-1710;
many London churches including St Bride's,
Fleet Street, and St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside;
the Royal Exchange; Marlborough House; and
the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. Wren studied
mathematics, and in 1660 became a professor
of astronomy at Oxford University. His
opportunity as an architect came after the
Great Fire of London 1666. He prepared a plan
for rebuilding the city, but it was not
adopted. Instead, Wren was commissioned to
rebuild 51 City churches and St Paul's
Cathedral. The west towers of Westminster
Abbey, often attributed to him, were the
design of his pupil Hawksmoor.