“Tom Tower,” Christ Church, Oxford Some Letters of Sr Christopher Wren to John Fell, Bishop of Oxford

Abstract

THIS book was published in honour of the bicentenary of Wren's death on February 25. The author had been called upon to direct some necessary repairs to the buildings of Christ Church College, particularly to the “Tom Tower,” when his attention was directed to some unpublished letters and documents dealing with the original design and building of the tower, and these have now been published in the present volume. In addition to a contemporary copy of the contract between the College treasurer and the contractor for the building of the tower, there are seven autograph letters written by Wren to John Fell, Bishop of Oxford, the first dated May 26, 1681, and the last September 9, 1682, when the work was nearing completion. The last letter is reproduced in facsimile, showing Wren's firm and very distinct handwriting.

“Tom Tower,” Christ Church, Oxford. Some Letters of S^r Christopher Wren to John Fell, Bishop of Oxford.

Hitherto Unpublished. Now set forth and Annotated by W. Douglas Caröe.; with a chapter by Prof. H. H. Turner, and another by Prof. Arthur Cochrane. Pp.xii + 127 + 28plates. (Oxford: Clarendon Press; London: Oxford University Press, 1923.) 25s. net.