Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn

Diaries as Windows into Late Seventeenth-Century England

“I write to know what I think.” — Joan Didion

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The late seventeenth century in England was a time of great change. It included the Restoration of the monarchy, the Great Plague of London in 1665, the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the growth of scientific thinking.

In this period, Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn created two of the most important diaries in English literature. Their writings give a detailed picture of daily life, public events, and personal thoughts.

Pepys, a naval administrator, wrote in a direct and emotional style. He recorded everything from political affairs to private feelings.

Evelyn, a learned gentleman and member of the Royal Society, wrote in a more reflective and moral tone. He observed nature, society, and urban life with care and seriousness.

Together, their diaries offer two different but complementary views of Restoration England. One shows life as it is lived in detail, and the other shows life as it is understood through reflection and thought.

Samuel Pepys (1633–1703): Life and Career

Samuel Pepys was born in London in a modest family. He studied at St Paul’s School and later at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He also trained in law at the Middle Temple. However, he chose a career in government administration after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.

Pepys joined the Navy Office and rose to become Secretary to the Admiralty. His position gave him access to important political and naval affairs of the time. He also played an important role in improving the English Navy. He worked on administration, record keeping, discipline, and naval efficiency. His efforts helped strengthen the maritime power of England during wars with the Dutch.

Pepys wrote his diary in shorthand between 1660 and 1669. It was private and not meant for publication. This makes it very honest and personal. He describes major events in a very direct way. During the Great Fire of London, he wrote:

“Lord, what sad sight it was by moone light to see the whole city almost on fire.”

He also often ends his daily entries with:

“And so to bed.”

This simple line shows his habit of recording everyday routine along with major events.

He is also very open about his personal weaknesses and emotions. At one point he writes:

“I do find myself mightily disturbed in mind.”

Modern editors Robert Latham and William Matthews describe the diary as:

“…the most vivid and detailed record of everyday life in Restoration England.”

Historian Claire Tomalin writes:

“Pepys wrote not as a historian but as a man living intensely in his time.”

These views show that Pepys is valued for his honesty and vivid observation of life.

Pepys is important in English literature because he helped develop the modern diary form. His writing is simple, direct, and full of life. It connects personal experience with historical events and shows how ordinary life can become literature.

John Evelyn (1620–1706): Life and Education

John Evelyn was born into a wealthy family in Surrey. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford, and later trained in law at the Middle Temple. He travelled widely in Europe, especially in France and Italy. These travels shaped his interest in art, culture, and science.

Evelyn was also a founder member of the Royal Society, which reflects his scientific and intellectual interests. He worked in government service but was mainly known as a writer, scholar, and thinker. He wrote on topics such as gardening, forestry, architecture, and urban pollution.

Evelyn’s work Fumifugium criticises the polluted air of London and suggests ways to improve the city. This shows his early environmental awareness. His diary covers more than sixty years. It is calm, reflective, and orderly in style. He describes the Great Fire of London in a serious tone:

“The fire is one of the most lamentable sights that ever my eyes beheld.”

His diary often combines observation with moral reflection. He tries to understand events in terms of ethics and social order.

Samuel Johnson once said about diary writing in general:

“There is scarcely any species of writing more worthy of cultivation than that of a diary.”

Modern critics describe Evelyn as a cultured observer whose diary reflects discipline, learning, and moral seriousness. He is often seen as the more balanced and intellectual counterpart to Pepys.

Evelyn is important in English literature for his elegant prose and wide intellectual interests. His diary connects literature with science, nature, and moral thought. It shows how a diary can be both personal and philosophical.

Conclusion

Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn give two different but equally important views of seventeenth-century England. Pepys writes with emotion, detail, and honesty, while Evelyn writes with reflection, order, and moral awareness. Together, they make the diary a powerful literary form. Their works help readers understand not only history but also human experience in a deeply personal way.

Thanks for reading. — Pooja