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Question
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What is Sir Christopher Wren's connection with Wiltshire?
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Question asked on
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17 May 2003
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Answer
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Wren was born in Wiltshire at East Knoyle in 1632, being the fifth son of Dean Christopher Wren, the rector of East Knoyle. His father recorded his christening in the parish register himself. He spent his first 8 years at East Knoyle and was educated by the Rev. William Shepherd, a local clergyman, before going away to Westminster School.
Wren is associated with some buildings in Wiltshire. In 1668 he prepared an exhaustive report on the structure of Salisbury Cathedral and suggested several long term measures for the preservation of the spire. It is also possible that he was involved in some buildings in the Close, including the College of Matrons (1682), Malmesbury House, Mompesson House, and the Walton Canonry. Through his associations with Sir Stephen Fox, the great financier and administrator, it is considered likely that the church at Farley, completed in 1689, and possibly the Farley almshouses have elements of Wren's design.
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Bibliography
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Figures in a Wiltshire Scene, by Ken Watts. Hobnob Press, 2002, 0 946418 11 X
