Samuel Pepys

Biography

Samuel Pepys (1633–1703) was an English diarist, naval administrator, and Member of Parliament whose secret diary is one of the most important primary sources for the Restoration period in English history. Born in London, Pepys rose through talent and patronage to become Chief Secretary to the Admiralty, playing a crucial role in professionalizing the Royal Navy. His diary, kept from 1660 to 1669 in shorthand, was not deciphered and published until the nineteenth century. It provides an unparalleled firsthand account of major events including the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the Restoration court, alongside intimate details of daily life.