Samuel Pepys

Date of Birth: February 23, 1633

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 26, 1703

Biography

Samuel Pepys was an English diarist and naval administrator, born on February 23, 1633. He is best known for the diaries he kept for a decade while still a relatively young man, which provide a first-hand account of major events in 17th-century England, such as the Great Plague, the Second Dutch War, and the Great Fire of London. Pepys was born to a tailor and was educated at St Paul’s School and later at Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1655, he married Elisabeth de St Michel, and he began his career in the civil service as a clerk of the Exchequer. His diaries, which he began writing in 1660, offer a detailed and personal insight into his daily life, as well as the social, political, and cultural landscape of the time. Pepys rose to become the Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under both King Charles II and King James II, playing a significant role in the administration of the Royal Navy. He is remembered for his contributions to naval administration and for his vivid and candid diaries, which remain a valuable resource for historians.

5 Interesting Facts about Samuel Pepys

1. Samuel Pepys’s diaries were written in shorthand, which was a common practice for personal writing in the 17th century.

2. He was a contemporary and friend of Sir Isaac Newton, and both were members of the Royal Society.

3. Pepys underwent a successful bladder stone operation in 1658, which was a highly risky procedure at the time.

4. His diaries were not published until the 19th century, more than 150 years after his death.

5. Pepys’s work in naval administration helped modernize the Royal Navy and established more effective practices for shipbuilding and maintenance.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Samuel Pepys

1. “Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.”

2. “Music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business is.”

3. “The truth is, I do indulge myself a little the more in pleasure, knowing that this is the proper age of my life to do it.”

4. “God forgive me! what a mind have I towards that silly girl.”

5. “And so to bed.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Samuel Pepys’s exact net worth at the height of his career is not documented. However, as a high-ranking naval administrator and later a Member of Parliament, he was relatively wealthy and lived comfortably.