Samuel Pepys
One of the Royal Navy's greatest administrators, Pepys is best remembered for his remarkable biography of the Restoraion Era.
Samuel Pepys (pronounced "peeps) 1633-1703, is best remembered today by his remarkable biography of the Restoration Era during the reign of King Charles II. He is regarded in maritime circles as one of Britain’s ablest naval administrators. During his 30 year tenure at the Admiralty, Pepys brought the Royal Navy to peak performance, paving the way for great victories in later years.
In 1660 Pepys was appointed to the Naval Board as a patron to the Earl of Sandwich. Because of his exceptional organizational skills and his success at eliminating graft, he soon became an advisor to the Lord high Admiral, the future King James II. During the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War of 1665-1667, he organized the supply system which kept the navy in fighting trim. When James resigned in 1673, Charles II took personal control of the navy, and appointed Pepys Secretary to the Admiralty Board. With the king’s backing, he began a series of reforms, including the introduction of examinations, standardizing ship types, the provision of officer’s pensions, and payments to sailors’ widows. In his attempt to eliminate corruption, Pepys made few friends. In 1679 he was falsely accused of treason and sent to the Tower of London.
Soon the Admiralty was again in trouble, and Pepys was recalled and granted even more authority as Secretary for the Affairs of the Admiralty. He immediately reinstated his reforms and began planning for a modern fleet. He was finally forced to retire after his patron James II was ousted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
In 1660 Pepys was appointed to the Naval Board as a patron to the Earl of Sandwich. Because of his exceptional organizational skills and his success at eliminating graft, he soon became an advisor to the Lord high Admiral, the future King James II. During the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War of 1665-1667, he organized the supply system which kept the navy in fighting trim. When James resigned in 1673, Charles II took personal control of the navy, and appointed Pepys Secretary to the Admiralty Board. With the king’s backing, he began a series of reforms, including the introduction of examinations, standardizing ship types, the provision of officer’s pensions, and payments to sailors’ widows. In his attempt to eliminate corruption, Pepys made few friends. In 1679 he was falsely accused of treason and sent to the Tower of London.
Soon the Admiralty was again in trouble, and Pepys was recalled and granted even more authority as Secretary for the Affairs of the Admiralty. He immediately reinstated his reforms and began planning for a modern fleet. He was finally forced to retire after his patron James II was ousted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
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