Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 37: August 1665

"Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 37: August 1665" by Samuel Pepys is a historical account written during the 17th century. This book is a volume of Pepys' detailed personal diary, chronicling events from his life as a Clerk of Acts and Secretary to the Admiralty during the tumultuous time of the Great Plague in London. The likely topics of this volume include his reflections on daily life, social interactions, and the impact of the plague on his surroundings. In this volume of Pepys' diaries, the entries detail his daily activities, social engagements, and the ominous presence of the plague that looms over London. Pepys recounts visits to friends and family, lively dinners, and even his economic dealings, all while the impact of the illness grows increasingly severe, with death and disease affecting the community around him. He expresses both personal joy—such as his wife’s artistic pursuits and his own financial successes—and anxiety over the rising toll of the plague, which leads him to prepare his will and contemplate the fragility of life. The blend of mundane life with the stark realities of death creates a poignant portrait of a society grappling with crisis. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Samuel Pepys was an English diarist and naval administrator. He served as administrator of the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament, but is most remembered today for the diary he kept for almost a decade. Though he had no maritime experience, Pepys rose to be the Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under both King Charles II and King James II through patronage, diligence, and his talent for administration. His influence and reforms at the Admiralty were important in the early professionalisation of the Royal Navy.