A Plan for Rebuilding the City of London, After the Great Fire in 1666, but Unhappily Defeated by Faction
Title
A Plan for Rebuilding the City of London, After the Great Fire in 1666, but Unhappily Defeated by Faction
Subject
London after the Great Fire of 1666
Description
This is a reduced version of Sir Christopher Wren's plan for rebuilding London after the Great Fire which destroyed seven-eighths of the city.
This edition has a textual explanation beneath the map. Wren was a Professor of Astronomy at Oxford with interest in the science of architecture, he was among the first to submit a proposal after the catastrophe. The narrow streets that had helped spread the fires have been replaced by monumental avenues radiating from piazzas. The classical buildings and formal street plans that Wren had studied in Paris and Rome are a clear influence. He also proposed constructing a Thameside quay from Bridewell to the Tower, replacing the ramshackle wooden wharf-side buildings with warehouses. A vignette of Tamesis (a river god), with London burning in the background has been added to the border. Wren's plan was never used.
This edition has a textual explanation beneath the map. Wren was a Professor of Astronomy at Oxford with interest in the science of architecture, he was among the first to submit a proposal after the catastrophe. The narrow streets that had helped spread the fires have been replaced by monumental avenues radiating from piazzas. The classical buildings and formal street plans that Wren had studied in Paris and Rome are a clear influence. He also proposed constructing a Thameside quay from Bridewell to the Tower, replacing the ramshackle wooden wharf-side buildings with warehouses. A vignette of Tamesis (a river god), with London burning in the background has been added to the border. Wren's plan was never used.
Creator
Christopher Wren, architect
John Rocque, draughtsman
John Rocque, draughtsman
Source
British Library
Date
1758
Contributor
Diane Jakacki
Rights
British Library
Language
English, French
Identifier
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/crace/a/zoomify88331.html
Coverage
London, England
Files
Collection
Reference
Christopher Wren, architect
John Rocque, draughtsman, A Plan for Rebuilding the City of London, After the Great Fire in 1666, but Unhappily Defeated by Faction, 1758
John Rocque, draughtsman, A Plan for Rebuilding the City of London, After the Great Fire in 1666, but Unhappily Defeated by Faction, 1758
Cite As
Christopher Wren, architect
John Rocque, draughtsman, “A Plan for Rebuilding the City of London, After the Great Fire in 1666, but Unhappily Defeated by Faction ,” Mapping History, accessed May 7, 2024, http://maps.omeka.bucknell.edu/items/show/718.