Samuel Pepys

A notable naval moderniser, it is the vivid depiction of everyday life and historic events in Pepys’ diaries that have made him famous. Dryden was a Cambridge friend, and again much later in life. A great consulter of opinion, Pepys took Flamsteed’s advice on mathematical schooling for navigation, and Boyle’s advice about his own worrisome eyesight. He admired Wilkins and Hooke, conversing with Wilkins about his proposals for a Philosophical Language, and with Hooke about musical concord and discord. His fellow diarist Evelyn was a greatly loved friend for life. Sloane doctored him and performed the autopsy when he died.