Samuel Pepys

Samuel Pepys was born in Londn in 1663, and was the son of a tailor. 

Educated at St Paul's School and later at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

In 1665 he married Elizabeth St Michael the daughter of a Huguenot immigrant 

1660 - became Clerk of the Acts to the Navy Board (ordered materials for the Navy) and lived in a house owned by the Navy in Seething Lane 

1669 - Elizabeth died

Held posts in the Admiralty and Royal Society

Spent 7 weeks in the Tower of London accused of spying for France

1679 - moved to Buckingham Street with his assistant Will Hewer.

1685 - became Master of Trinity House (nominated by the King)

1703 - Died in Clapham

Buried in St Olaves Church Hart Street (near Seething Lane)

His famous diaries were written between 1660 and 1669 about the time of the Plague and the Great Fire.

The diaries were written in shorthand, and were not intended to be read by his contemporaries.

Pepys had decided to keep his diary secret and record private messages and experiences as well as everyday events at home and work. He also liked to record his increasing wealth starting with mere £25 in 1660 and being worth some £10,000 a decade later when the Diary ends

At the time of Pepys death, the diaries were passed to Magdalene College and were not discovered when work began on John Evelyn's diary in 1818. 

1970 - the complete works of Pepys is published.

Example from the front page of his diary showing the shorthand used.

The two dates 1659 and 1660, refer to two calendars, the year was 1659 in the old (Julian) calendar, where the year began on 25 March, but 1660 in the new (Gregorian) calendar when the year began on 1 January.  

Pepys Street off Seething Lane.