WREN, Christopher (1675-1747), of Wroxall, Warws.

Family and Education

b. 8 (or 18) Feb. 1675,1Genealogists’ Mag. iii. 84; iv. 2-3; Parentalia, p. ix. 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Sir Christopher Wren, M.P., surveyor gen. of the works, by his 1st w. Faith, da. of Sir Thomas Coghill of Bletchingdon, Oxon. educ. Eton c.1686-91; Pembroke, Camb. 1691; M. Temple 1694; Grand Tour 1698. m. (1) 1706,2Agnew, Protestant Exiles, i. 155. Mary (d. 10 Dec. 1712), da. of Philip Musard, jeweller to Queen Anne, 1s.; (2) 8 Nov. 1715, Constance, da. of Sir Thomas Middleton of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, wid. of Sir Roger Burgoyne, 4th Bt., of Wroxall, 1s. suc. fa. 1723.

Offices Held

Dep. clerk engraver of the works 1694 – 1702; chief clerk of the works 1702 – 16.

Address

Main residence: Wroxall, Warws.

biography text

Wren was returned in 1713 as a Tory for New Windsor, where his father was controller of works at the castle. Classed as a Tory who might often vote Whig, he was re-elected in 1715 but was unseated on petition, it being alleged inter alia that he had used his official position to influence voters.3CJ, xviii. 63. He did not stand again, employing himself in collecting documents for the Parentalia, published in 1750 by his son Stephen, which is still the main authority for his father’s life. He died 24 Aug. 1747.

Author

R.S.L.

Volume

Commons 1715-1754

Notes

1. Genealogists’ Mag. iii. 84; iv. 2-3; Parentalia, p. ix.
2. Agnew, Protestant Exiles, i. 155.
3. CJ, xviii. 63.