The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Volume 3, 1667-1669

The Diary of Samuel Pepys #3

by Samuel Pepys

Here is Kenneth Branagh's acclaimed reading of the third volume of Pepys' diaries. In this, the final part of the Diary, Pepys is well established in his post in the Navy office but troubled by failing eyesight, which eventually leads him to stop writing his journal.

Much of this portion of the diary is about his affair with his wife's servant, Deb Willett, which took up much of his energy throughout this period of his life. But we are also treated to his customary vivid portrait of London life in all its rich variety.

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First published January 1, 1906

About the author

Samuel Pepys was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, who is now most famous for his diary. Although Pepys had no maritime experience, he rose by patronage, hard work and his talent for administration, to be the Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under King James II. His influence and reforms at the Admiralty were important in the early professionalization of the Royal Navy.

The detailed private diary he kept during 1660–1669 was first published in the nineteenth century, and is one of the most important primary sources for the English Restoration period. It provides a combination of personal revelation and eyewitness accounts of great events, such as the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War and the Great Fire of London.

His surname is usually pronounced /'pi:ps/ ('peeps').