Edward Strong the Elder

They led a team of 65 masons and were responsible for many important projects including the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral and Blenheim Palace.

[1] Edward came from a long line of masons and quarry owners and was the son of Valentine Strong (1609–1662) and Anne Margetts.

Strong formed a business relationship with Christopher Wren around 1680 with their first joint project being St Benet's, Paul's Wharf one of the many churches destroyed in the fire.

In the same year he went on an architectural tour of Europe, visiting France, Italy and Holland with Christopher Wren the Younger.

It is also noteworthy that this trip is somewhat early within the British fashion for the "Grand Tour" which was at its peak 50 years later.