History Extra podcast The dark side of Samuel Pepys
Oct 7, 2025
Guy de la Bédoyère, a historian and biographer, delves into the darker aspects of Samuel Pepys' life, revealing the notorious diary of this 17th-century figure. While Pepys is celebrated for his insights into Restoration London, Guy exposes his self-confessed predatory behavior towards women. They discuss how earlier historians censored these uncomfortable truths and how Pepys cleverly disguised explicit content in his writings. The conversation challenges us to reconsider Pepys' legacy in light of his troubling actions, balancing historical context with modern moral standards.
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Why Pepys's Diary Matters
- Pepys's diary is a rich, haphazard record mixing private life and major public events.
- It uniquely captures daily 17th-century London from the Restoration to plague and fire.
Shorthand Shaped The Diary
- Pepys wrote in Thomas Shelton shorthand which shaped his style and enabled dense nightly entries.
- That close work later harmed his eyesight and influenced how he recorded events.
Redaction History Of The Diary
- Many of Pepys's sexual confessions were known to early editors but routinely redacted.
- Editors labelled passages
