Samuel Pepys – Biography, Diary and the Great Fire of London
Who Was Samuel Pepys?
Samuel Pepys was a 17th-century English diarist and naval administrator, born on 23 February 1633 in London. He is most famous for his detailed diary, which chronicles life during the Stuart Restoration and provides an unmatched eyewitness account of events like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. Pepys rose from modest beginnings as the son of a tailor and housekeeper to become one of the most influential men of his era.
Despite having no maritime experience, Pepys became instrumental in the early professionalisation of the Royal Navy. He served as Clerk of the Acts to the Navy Board from 1660, later rising to Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under Kings Charles II and James II. He was also a Member of Parliament, President of the Royal Society, and a baron of the Cinque Ports. His administrative reforms and talent reshaped the navy and left a lasting mark on English governance.
Pepys was present on the ship that returned Charles II to England in 1660, marking the start of the Restoration. His life intersected with many of the defining moments of 17th-century Britain, from political upheaval to scientific revolution, and his diary remains the most vivid record of that world.
23 February 1633, London, England
26 May 1703, London, England
His detailed diary covering 1660–1669, including the Great Fire of London and the plague
Naval administrator, Member of Parliament, diarist
- Samuel Pepys’s diary is one of the most important primary sources for the English Restoration period.
- He provides a first-hand account of the Great Fire of London, the Great Plague, and daily life in 17th-century London.
- The diary was written in shorthand and not published until the 19th century.
- Pepys’s burial of his Parmesan cheese during the Great Fire is a famous anecdote illustrating his practicality.
- He rose from modest beginnings to become a senior naval administrator and later a Member of Parliament.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Samuel Pepys |
| Born | 23 February 1633, London |
| Died | 26 May 1703 (age 70), London |
| Parents | John Pepys (tailor) and Margaret Pepys |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Marchant de St Michel (married 1655, died 1669) |
| Education | St Paul’s School, London; Magdalene College, Cambridge |
| Career | Chief Secretary to the Admiralty, Member of Parliament |
| Notable work | The Diary of Samuel Pepys (1660–1669) |
| Cause of death | Kidney failure (or ‘stone’ – bladder/kidney stones, possibly complicated by opium use) |
What Is the Diary of Samuel Pepys About?
Written between 1660 and 1669, Pepys’s diary exceeds one million words across six volumes. He stopped writing due to fading eyesight. The diary is considered one of the most important primary sources of 17th-century English history, offering eyewitness accounts of major events including the Great Plague of London (1665), the Great Fire of London (1666), the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the coronation of Charles II, and the founding of the Royal Society.
Why Is the Diary So Important?
The diary captures both grand historical events and intimate personal details. Pepys wrote about politics, theater, science, food, music, and his own private life with remarkable candour. This blend of public record and private confession gives historians an unparalleled glimpse into Restoration London. His descriptions of the Great Fire, for instance, are among the most vivid and compassionate first-hand records of the disaster.
How Was the Diary Written?
Pepys wrote primarily in English but used a shorthand system he invented or adopted. Some passages are in French, Latin, and Spanish. The diary was not published until 1825, when a partial transcription appeared. A full transcription was completed only in the 1970s, making the complete text widely available for the first time.
What Did Pepys Write Besides His Diary?
Beyond the diary itself, Pepys compiled a vast collection of 3,000 meticulously catalogued books and manuscripts. He bequeathed this Pepys Library to Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, where it remains preserved in its original glazed bookcases exactly as he arranged them. The library is a unique window into his intellectual pursuits and a significant heritage site.
What Did Samuel Pepys Do During the Great Fire of London?
Pepys’s diary records the Great Fire of London in September 1666. He described how he and his wife watched the fire consume the city. His account is a vivid and compassionate first-hand record of the disaster. Pepys helped organize the defense of the city, taking practical steps to protect property and coordinate responses.
Did Pepys Help Fight the Fire?
His diary shows he was actively involved in efforts to contain the blaze. On 2 September 1666, he wrote: To see the fire, it was so universal, and the smoke so great, and the cracking of houses, and the falling of churches, and the noise of the people, my spirits were quite overcome.
He went to the Tower of London to report the fire’s progress to the Lord Mayor and assisted in organizing firefighting efforts, including the creation of firebreaks by demolishing buildings.
What Did Pepys Bury During the Great Fire?
One of the most famous anecdotes from the diary concerns Pepys burying his wine and Parmesan cheese in his garden to protect them from the flames. On 4 September 1666, he wrote: I did eat some of the cheese, and was very much troubled with it… and so I did take my cheese and wine, and put it into a little basket, and buried it in the garden.
This small detail brings the emergency vividly to life and shows his pragmatic character.
Pepys’s decision to bury his Parmesan cheese and wine was a practical measure taken as the fire approached his home. The diary confirms this event, showing how ordinary people responded to extraordinary danger. The anecdote has become one of the most famous passages in the entire diary.
While Pepys’s diary entry clearly states he buried his cheese and wine, some historians note that the exact type of cheese is not specified in the diary itself. The common association with Parmesan cheese may stem from later interpretation and food history writing rather than Pepys’s own words.
What Was Samuel Pepys’s Cause of Death?
Pepys died on 26 May 1703 in Clapham after years of declining health that forced him into retirement by 1700. There is no single recorded cause, such as infection or accident. His general declining health in later years led to his death at age 70.
The Debate About His Death
The exact cause of death is debated. Some sources suggest kidney failure or complications from bladder stones, a condition Pepys had suffered from for much of his life. Others mention possible complications from opium use, which he took for pain relief. What is certain is that he died peacefully at his home in Clapham, near London, attended by his household.
Where Is Samuel Pepys Buried?
Pepys was buried in St Olave’s Church in the City of London, where he had worshipped for many years. The church survived the Great Fire and still stands today, with a memorial to Pepys inside. His wife Elizabeth, who died in 1669, is also buried there.
Why Did Samuel Pepys Bury His Parmesan Cheese?
The story of Pepys burying his Parmesan cheese during the Great Fire of London is one of the most famous anecdotes from his diary. On 4 September 1666, as flames approached his home, Pepys dug a hole in his garden and placed his wine and a wheel of Parmesan cheese inside for safekeeping.
The story illustrates the practical steps people took during the disaster. By burying his valuable provisions, Pepys ensured they would survive even if his house burned down. The diary entry confirms this event, capturing both the gravity of the fire and Pepys’s characteristic attention to detail.
While Parmesan cheese is not a major theme in the diary overall, this single incident has become iconic, frequently cited in popular culture and food history writing as an example of 17th-century life.
How Do You Pronounce Samuel Pepys?
Samuel Pepys’s name is pronounced /ˈpiːps/, sounding exactly like the word “PEEPS”. This is the traditional English pronunciation and is widely accepted by historians and reference works.
Some debate exists about the pronunciation. A minority argue for “Pep-is” based on the spelling in his diary. However, the standard pronunciation used in academia and historical references remains “Peeps”. The pronunciation is confirmed by multiple authoritative sources including Wikipedia and historical biographies.
To pronounce Samuel Pepys correctly, say “Samuel Peeps” – the surname rhymes with “beeps” or “sheep”. Avoid saying “Pep-iss”, which is a common mistake.
Key Dates in Samuel Pepys’s Life
- – Born in London
- – Marries Elizabeth Marchant de St Michel
- – Begins working as a clerk in the Exchequer
- – Starts keeping his diary
- – Great Plague – Pepys stays in London, records events
- – Great Fire of London – Pepys documents the fire and buries his Parmesan cheese
- – Last diary entry (due to failing eyesight)
- – Appointed Secretary to the Admiralty
- – Elected MP for Harwich
- – Dies in London
What We Know vs. What’s Uncertain
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Pepys’s diary is authentic and preserved at Magdalene College, Cambridge | The exact cause of death is debated – some sources say kidney stones, others mention opium overdose |
| He indeed buried his wine and Parmesan cheese during the Great Fire (confirmed by diary entry) | The pronunciation of his surname: traditionally “Peeps” in England, but some argue for “Pep-is” since it was spelled “Pepys” in his diary |
| He died in 1703, likely from kidney failure or complications from bladder stones | The complete motivation for writing the diary in shorthand is not fully known |
What Is the Historical Context of Pepys’s Diary?
The Restoration period began when Charles II returned to the throne in 1660, the same year Pepys started his diary. This era saw the revival of monarchy, theatre, and science after the Puritan Commonwealth. Pepys’s diary captures this cultural rebirth firsthand, documenting everything from the reopening of theatres to the founding of the Royal Society.
Pepys played a key role in professionalising the Royal Navy after neglect under Oliver Cromwell. His administrative reforms helped rebuild England’s naval power. The diary also provides intimate details of daily life: what people ate, how they dressed, the music they enjoyed, and the social codes they followed.
Pepys interacted with many notable figures of his time, including King Charles II, Sir Isaac Newton, and the diarist John Evelyn. His diary remains unmatched as a source for understanding 17th-century England, offering detail no other document provides.
What Do Sources and Quotes Tell Us About Pepys?
To see the fire, it was so universal, and the smoke so great, and the cracking of houses, and the falling of churches, and the noise of the people, my spirits were quite overcome.
– Samuel Pepys’s diary entry, 2 September 1666
I did eat some of the cheese, and was very much troubled with it… and so I did take my cheese and wine, and put it into a little basket, and buried it in the garden.
– Samuel Pepys’s diary entry, 4 September 1666 (about his Parmesan)
And so to bed.
– Common closing phrase in many diary entries
These quotes reveal Pepys’s humanity and observational skill. The “And so to bed” phrase became a signature ending, showing his routine and personal voice. The cheese quote captures his practical nature during crisis. The fire quote shows his emotional response to disaster.
Summary: Why Does Samuel Pepys Matter Today?
Samuel Pepys remains important because his diary offers an unmatched window into 17th-century life. It combines grand historical events with intimate personal detail, creating a record no other document provides. His role in professionalising the Royal Navy and his library at Magdalene College are lasting legacies. His diary continues to be studied, quoted, and enjoyed by historians and general readers alike, making him one of the most accessible figures of the early modern period. For further reading, Claire Tomalin’s biography Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self is considered the definitive modern account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Samuel Pepys a pirate?
No, he was a naval administrator and politician, not a pirate.
Did Samuel Pepys have children?
He and his wife Elizabeth had no surviving children.
How many volumes is the Pepys diary?
The original manuscript consists of six volumes, covering about 1.25 million words.
Why is Samuel Pepys important?
His diary is a priceless historical record of daily life, politics, and events in 17th-century England.
Is there a Samuel Pepys pub?
Yes, there are several pubs named after him, the most famous being “The Samuel Pepys” near the Thames in London.
What language did Pepys write his diary in?
He wrote primarily in English, but used a shorthand system he invented or adopted, with some passages in French, Latin, and Spanish.
Did Samuel Pepys meet famous people?
Yes, he interacted with many notable figures of his time, including King Charles II, Sir Isaac Newton, and John Evelyn.
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