Architect, Scientist, Astronomer. Born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, he was the son of Christopher Wren, Dean of Windsor, and Mary Cox. His father became Court Chaplain under Charles I, and young Christopher spent his childhood at Windsor Castle with the future Charles II as a playmate. Physically, Wren was small and frail, but he loved learning. He began drawing at an early age, and was fascinated by science. By 1646, before entering university, he was experimenting with sundials, making models of the solar system, and assisting Dr. Charles Scarburgh in various anatomical experiments. Wren entered Wadham College, Oxford in 1649, and received his MA in 1653. Within four years he was Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, and in 1661 held the title at Oxford. He designed the Chapel at Pembroke College, Cambridge at the request of his uncle, Bishop of Ely, and the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. The latter was his first design utilizing the dome which would become his trademark. Wren's crowning glory came in 1666, in the wake of the Great Fire which destroyed London. He was appointed Surveyor of the King's Works, replanned the entire city of London, supervised the building of 51 churches, and began plans for rebuilding St. Paul's Cathedral. Building on the Cathedral began in 1675, when Wren was 43, and was completed 12 years before his death. During this time he was also appointed Astronomer Royal and Surveyor of Westminster Abbey. Wren died after catching a chill while travelling to his London home at the age of 90. He was the first person entombed at St. Paul's Cathedral, which remains his greatest known work. His tomb reads, in Latin: "Reader, if you seek a monument, look around you". A close friend once wrote of Wren, "Loving, gentle, modest he was as a boy; and the famous architect possessed these qualities still. In a corrupt age, all testimony leaves him spotless..."