(17 September 1589[1] – 29 May 1658) was an Anglican cleric who was Dean of Windsor from 1635 until his death,[2] and the father of the prominent architect Christopher Wren.

He was educated at Merchant Taylors School, London, and St John's College, Oxford and graduated BA in 1609, MA in 1613, BD in 1620.

In 1630 he was created Doctor of Divinity at Peterhouse, Cambridge,[8] where his brother Matthew was president.

[8] When Parliamentary forces occupied Windsor Castle, he refused to give to Captain Fogg the keys of St George's Chapel.

Wren managed to preserve the records of the Order of the Garter, and King Edward III's sword.