Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren (1589 – 29 May 1658) was an Anglican cleric who was Dean of Windsor from 1635 until his death, and the father of the prominent architect Christopher Wren.

Career Wren was educated at Merchant Taylors School, London, and St John's College, Oxford and graduated BA in 1609, MA in 1613, BD in 1620. In 1630 he was created Doctor of Divinity at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where his brother Matthew was president.

Wren was appointed: Chaplain to Bishop Lancelot Andrewes Chaplain to King Charles I, 1628 Rector of Fonthill Bishop, Wiltshire, 1620 Rector of East Knoyle, Wiltshire, 1623 Registrar of the Order of the Garter, 1634 Dean of Wolverhampton, 1639 Rector of Great Haseley, Oxfordshire, 1639

Wren was appointed Dean of Windsor in 1635. When Parliamentary forces occupied Windsor Castle, he refused to give to Captain Fogg the keys of St George's Chapel. On 23 October 1642 Fogg broke open the treasury and plundered it. Wren managed to preserve the records of the Order of the Garter, and King Edward III's sword.

Wren was the brother of the preceding Dean of Windsor, Matthew Wren. Christopher married Mary Cox. Their son was the famed architect Christopher Wren.