W ren, Christopher (1632–1723)

Abstract British architect. He began his career as a scientist, not as an architect. In 1665 he made his only trip to the continent, where he was impressed by the classical buildings in Italy. He returned just before the Great Fire of London (1666), in which the entire city, including about 100 churches and St. Paul's Cathedral, were burned down. It gave Wren the opportunity to reshape architectural history. Wren's plans called for a truly Anglican compromise between the altar and the pulpit. He built 52 churches, among them St. Bride's, Fleet Street, St. Mary‐le‐Bow, and St. Stephen Walbrook, the Lord Mayor's parish church.