Samuel Pepys

Samuel Pepys is well known for his detailed accounts of historic events, kept in his personal diary between 1660 and 1669. Along with his infamous diary, he held positions of prominence as an English Naval Administrator, a Member of Parliament, a musician, amateur composer and critic. The correct pronunciation of his surname is the same as the English word “peeps”.

His Diary

• Documented events such as the Great Plague of London, 

         the Second Dutch War and the Great Fire of London

 • The diary was never meant to be published, and was 

         written in shorthand

 • A "tryangle" is constantly mentioned, which was actually 

         a spinet

  • Motives for starting the diary:

         - Death of Oliver Cromwell in September 1658

         - Pepys's recovery from a bladder stone operation

         - His own vanity

His Musical Background

• His father played the bass viol

• His sister played keyboard since his birth

• Samuel had no record of early lessons

• A striking virginal existed in a corner of the Pepys 

         household

• The family lived near Bulstrode Whitelock, causing a 

         constant stream of music to fill the air from his daily 

         rehearsals.

• Pepys often raved about and criticized music within the 

         pages of his diary

Information provided by Greg