Robert Hooke's work as surveyor for the City of London in the aftermath of the Great Fire. Part one: Robert Hooke's first surveys for the City of London

It is known that Robert Hooke was one of the Surveyors appointed after the Great Fire to assist the City in its urgent task of rebuilding, but until now only a very general understanding of the extent of his work and the time he spent on it has been gained. By examining contemporary manuscripts from the City of London's records it is now possible to make a reasonable estimate of the time he spent on the first major activities he was called upon to undertake amidst the ruins: the staking out of widened streets; and the staking out, measurement and certification of foundations of private buildings. Evidence that he staked out and certified nearly 3000 foundations between March 1667 when rebuilding began and 1672 when he started his diary is discussed and presented against a general background of the three organisations for which he worked: the Royal Society, Gresham College and the City.