Roger Pratt (architect) - Official Works

Official Works

In 1663, a commission was formed to oversee the restoration of the crumbling Old St Paul's Cathedral in London. The commission obtained a report from Roger Pratt, which recommended leaving the structure to fall down of its own accord. At a meeting in late August, 1666, the commission opted instead for Christopher Wren's proposals for rebuilding. A week later, the Great Fire of London broke out, destroying much of central London, including Old St Paul's. In September, Pratt was one of the three "Commissioners for Rebuilding the City of London", appointed by King Charles II. The others were Hugh May and Christopher Wren, and along with three representatives of the City of London, Robert Hooke, Edward Jerman and Peter Mills, they were charged with surveying the damage, and promoting methods of rebuilding. The commissioners' work led to two Parliamentary acts for rebuilding, in 1666 and 1670, although unlike Wren, Pratt played no further role in the reconstruction work. On 16 July 1668, Roger Pratt was knighted by Charles II, becoming the first English architect to be so honoured.