Pepys London
18 February 2003
Celebrating the achievements of Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) on the 300th anniversary of his death, Pepys London will take visitors back to the life and times of the renowned diarist.
Opening on 8 May 2003, the exhibition will explore the capital during the turbulent period that witnessed the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London and the Dutch invasion of the Thames.
Through the numerous and detailed journal entries that Pepys left behind, the exhibition will reveal the social life of Londoners during the Restoration, when the capital rose from the ashes. From Oliver Cromwell’s death mask to wig curlers and false teeth; newspapers and contemporary art to surgeon’s instruments and a plague bell, original items from the period will recreate the times in which the famous diarist lived.
Against the backdrop of a city that was raging with fire and plague, Pepys worked his way up through the social circles of London. When he wasn’t drinking with Isaac Newton he worked hard to become the most distinguished civilian naval administrator in history. And he became a rich man in the process. Forget what you learned at school about the great diarist, the real Pepys is much more interesting.
Press enquiries:
Judith Holmes: 020 7814 5502
Fay Ross-Magenty: 020 7814 5502
Kirsten Monks: 020 7814 5511
In the words of Pepys…
On fashion:
“…but I find I must go handsomely, what ever it cost me…”
21 October 1664
“Comes my Taylors man in the morning and brings my vest home, and coat to wear with it, and belt and silver-hilted sword. So I rose and dressed myself, and I like myself mightily in it, and so doth my wife.”
4 November 1666
“And I did also in a sudden fit cut off all my beard, which I have been a great while bringing up, only that I may with my pumice-stone do my whole face, as I now do my chin, and so save time”.
31 May 1662
"Without more ado I went up and there he cut off my haire: which went a little to my heart at present to part with it…”
3 November 1663
“…and so walked in great pain, having new shoes on…”
15 July 1666
On women:
“Stood by a pretty, modest maid, whom I did labour to take by the hand and the body; but she would not, but got further and further from me, and at last I could perceive her to take pins out of her pocket to prick me if I should touch her again, which seeing, I did forbear, and was glad I did espy her design.”
18 August 1667
“So to the Wardrobe, where I find my Lady hath agreed upon a lace for my wife, of 6l., which I seemed much glad of that it was no more, though in my mind I think it too much…”
11 November 1661
On drink:
“…we made ourselves a great deal of mirth, but spoiled my clothes with the ale that we dash up and down; after that, to bed very late – with drink enough in my head.”
30 April 1660
“…drank a great deal of wine…my head was troubled – and was not very well all night.”
8 December 1660
On health:
Pepys wrote that his wife “hath got her teeth new down by La Roche; and are indeed now pretty handsome, and I was much pleased with it.”
11 March 1661
To celebrate the successful operation to remove his bladder stone Pepys wrote: “This day it is two years since it pleased God that I was cut of the stone…and did resolve while I live to keep it a festival…”
26 March 1658
“And it is a wonder what will be the fashion after the plague is done as to periwigs, for nobody will dare to buy any haire for fear of the infection – that it had been cut off the heads of people dead of the plague.”
3 September 1665
“…there dying 1089 of the plague this week. My lady Carteret did this day give me a bottle of plague-water [to take] home with me.”
19 July 1665
On entertainment:
“…we saw Midsummers nights dream, which I have never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life. I saw, I confess, some good dancing and some handsome women, which was all my pleasure.”
29 September 1662
“I did entertain myself with my perspective glass up and down the church, by which I had the great pleasure of seeing and gazing a great many very fine women; and what with that and sleeping, I passed away the time till sermon was done…”
26 May 1667
On the Great Fire:
Measures taken when the Great Fire of London spread throughout the city: “Sir W. Batten…did dig a pit in the garden and laid it in there; and I took the opportunity of laying all the papers of my office that I could not otherwise dispose of…and I did dig another and put our wine in it…”
4 September 1666
Editors’ notes:
1. This exhibition is sponsored by The Corporation of Trinity House, general lighthouse authority for England and Wales, and supporter of maritime education and the welfare of the mariner.