In which the worthy and industrious life of Samuel Pepys is recounted with due attention to his ancestry, education, official career, and the manifold trials and honours by which he was surrounded during the reigns of Charles II and James II. We are given a learned and affectionate portrayal of a man whose diligence, prudence, and singular candour made him a memorable minister of the navy and a chronicler of his age, whose modest vanity and deep sincerity shine through the historical record.

In which a detailed preface is presented explaining the history of the publication of my diary, revealing the challenges of transcription, omissions, and the deciphering of my shorthand notes. Much gratitude is conveyed to the diligent editors, scholars, and benefactors who have aided in bringing this intimate record of daily life to light, while also acknowledging the valuable external sources and annotations that enrich the understanding of this account.