The Diary of Samuel Pepys

The Englishman Samuel Pepys (1633–1703) was one of the greatest chroniclers of his time. He kept a diary that was published in 1825, long after his death. Pepys’ diary describes life in London between 1659 and 1669.

He wrote in his diary for nearly ten years. His work combines major historical events (the king, the plague, the Great Fire of London), everyday life (meals, neighbors, interests, marital disputes), and intimate confessions. Thanks to his diary, we learn a great deal about Pepys as a person, as well as about English history in the 17th century.

Pepys began his diary in 1659. In it, he recounts the Great Plague of 1665, the Great Fire of London, his private life, and the social and political atmosphere of the time. He wrote in shorthand to keep his secrets, and his diary was only deciphered in the 19th century. Shorthand is a system of abbreviated writing that allows someone to write as fast as people speak—literally “compressed writing” from Greek. He used the shorthand system of Thomas Shelton, known as tachygraphy. At times, Pepys invented his own abbreviations and mixed several languages to hide sensitive passages.

Pepys was a high-ranking official in the English Navy and worked at the Admiralty during the wars against the Dutch Republic. His professional life was well organized: he worked tirelessly and carried out his duties with precision. His private life, however, was far more turbulent. Samuel was married to Elizabeth, but this did not prevent him from being unfaithful. In his diary, he admits flirting with their young maid. This led to his wife’s anger and a marital dispute. Pepys promised to change and offered Elizabeth gifts… until the next time an opportunity arose.

Pepys loved music, theatre, and literature. A passionate book collector, he spent much of his time reading, writing, and searching for works to expand his remarkable private library, which contained around 3,000 volumes. His house and library were spared during the Great Fire. Today, his collection is preserved at Magdalene College.

Thanks to his detailed diary, we can reconstruct a typical day in the life of this remarkable scholar:

In the morning, Pepys wakes early, often around 6 or 7 a.m. He says a short prayer and reads for a while. Then he checks his accounts—he is obsessed with his finances. After that, he heads to the Admiralty, where he works to modernize the English Navy under the reign of Charles II. He negotiates contracts and attends meetings.

At midday, he often returns home for dinner. He describes his meals in detail: roasted mutton, oysters, Spanish wine, and cheese, which he loves. In the afternoon, Pepys visits colleagues, then stops by a bookseller or attends a discreet meeting with a woman.

Pepys is also passionate about the theatre. In the evening, he goes to watch plays and records his impressions: whether the actress was excellent, whether the play was boring, or whether the audience was elegant. Often, he plays the flageolet or sings at home, as music is one of his greatest passions.

At night, before going to bed, he writes in his diary: he criticizes friends, confesses his jealousy… and counts his money.

Music, theatre, fine food, books, political intrigue, major historical events, and infidelity—all find a place in his diary.

This includes the Great Plague of 1665, which is estimated to have killed around 100,000 people. Pepys describes the fear, the empty streets, carts carrying the dead, and entire families wiped out by the disease. Each week, he consults the “Bills of Mortality” (official death lists). He writes that he is “troubled,” yet continues working. He chews tobacco for protection, carries aromatic herbs, and avoids “corrupted air.” He sends his wife away from London for safety. He observes speculation, abandoned houses, and administrative chaos. He records terrifying numbers: over 6,000 deaths in a single week, more than 7,000 according to official lists—the peak of the epidemic. Entire families die within days, servants flee their sick masters, and abandoned children are seen everywhere. He writes: “A very great number of dead this week. It troubles me.” And shortly after: “Dined well. And so to bed.”—despite everything, life goes on.

During this troubled time, Pepys also mentions rumors of murders disguised as suicides. With authorities overwhelmed, some crimes likely went unpunished.

The Great Fire of London began on the night of September 1–2, 1666, in a bakery and destroyed more than 13,000 wooden houses. Pepys witnessed the destruction of St Paul’s Cathedral.

He describes the chaos: he climbs a tower to observe the burning city, sees houses exploding from the heat, and people fleeing with their belongings. The riverbanks are crowded. Pepys escapes with his family, but also notes that he buried his cheese and wine in his garden to save them.

In his diary, Samuel Pepys portrays life in London in all its complexity. Despite social differences, disasters, and the constant threat to human life, there are still good moments. Pepys finds time for his passions and for good food… and life goes on.