The Mathematical Life of Sir Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren, who died 300 years ago this year, is famed as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral. But he was also Gresham Professor of Astronomy, and one of the founders of a society “for the promotion of Physico-Mathematicall Experimental Learning” which became the Royal Society.
This lecture explores some of Wren’s mathematical work on curves including spirals and ellipses and the mathematics behind his most impressive architectural achievement - the dome of St Paul’s.
A lecture by Sarah Hart recorded on 7 March 2023 at David Game College, London.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac...
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[@timtaylor8406]

Even I, who failed maths 'O' level 4 times, was interested in this extremely well presented talk.

[@plumduff3303]

I've been there, Tim. I got it on the 5th.Never surrender.

[@Northwind-druid]

I learned of Christopher Wren through the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson and I am forever fascinated by this section of history, the persons in it, and the developments in science in it. Great talk!

[@TheVampirelass]

I'm terrible with math and I found this lecture absolutely fascinating.

[@rsc9520]

Me too!

[@davidwilkie9551]

Excellent lecture.

[@kutsev.naumenko.alexandr]

Oh! World of the Christopher Wren's mathematics!))

[@liannearnote2973]

Sara Hart has the drool, yet elegant, humor of a mathematician...connected through the 50 pound note. (-; So clear, also! A delightful lecture.

[@paulcoffey359]

Professor S.Hart

[@bazsnell3178]

Been looking forward to this. Excellent lecture.

[@isbestlizard]

I think we very rarely want to focus light onto a single point, and it's confusing to students to describe the goal of lenses as such. A lens is designed to create an image. It just so happens that in doing so, the lens focuses light through a single point

[@doyoulikemyname6147]

Wow... my great great great great great great great great great great grandfathers cousin is famous... wow

[@BCarli1395]

Brava!

[@RonJohn63]

2:46 A notion from the Ancient Greeks, no? 4:02 No room there for theological truths. Brave for the 17th century. 16:11 Fortune favors the prepared mind.

[@JJONNYREPP]

The Mathematical Life of Sir Christopher Wren 1831pm 9.3.23 the most dramatic building situated in london - st paul's was worth visiting... it's the only aspect of wren i enjoy. customary beauty ie: i am not particularly enamoured of symmetry an alleged natural beauty - as we know nature is not strictly symmetrical.

[@nedludd7622]

Maybe you are not read on the math. Many writers have tried to explain it for a general public, Ian Stewart in "Fearful Symmetry" for only one example.

[@bobnewmanknott3433]

Wonderful lecturer but l did find all the hand waving distracting and later very annoying