Happy Birthday, Christopher

Today is the birthday (1632) of the great architect, astronomer, geometer, and mathematician-physicist, Sir Christopher Wren, also founder of the Royal Society and renowned in his life for his brilliant scientific drawings (particularly those of the brain). Today of course he's best remembered for the magnificent buildings he designed, especially St Paul's Cathedral.

His epitaph is famous, particularly the last line:

SUBTUS CONDITUR HUIUS ECCLESIÆ ET VRBIS CONDITOR CHRISTOPHORUS WREN, QUI VIXIT ANNOS ULTRA NONAGINTA, NON SIBI SED BONO PUBLICO. LECTOR SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE Obijt XXV Feb: An°: MDCCXXIII Æt: XCI.

Here in its foundations lies the architect of this church and city, Christopher Wren, who lived beyond ninety years, not for his own profit but for the public good. Reader, if you seek his monument - look around you. Died 25 Feb. 1723, age 91.

Check his Wikipedia page for a gallery of his architectural work.