Samuel Pepys Club

Samuel Pepys, one of the most famous diarists, came to live in the Parish of Saint Olave in 1660. He had a successful career; his achievements include becoming Secretary to the Admiralty, Master of the Clothworkers' Company, Master of Trinity House, President of the Royal Society, and a Member of Parliament. He wrote his diaries from 1660 to 1669, they include eyewitness accounts on important historical events such as the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the second Anglo-Dutch war of 1667. The diaries also give an insight into his personal life.

The Club was founded on 26 May 1903 to mark the bicentenary of the death of Samuel Pepys. The founders of the club are Sir Fredrick Bridge (Organist of Westminster Abbey), Sir D'Arcy Power (Surgeon and medical writer), George Whale (writer and bibliophile), and Henry B. Wheatley (editor of the 3rd edition of the diary). The membership was initially restricted to 50, but later increased to 70. Well-known admirers of Samuel Pepys were invited to become members of the club. In 2006, membership was increased to 140 UK members and up to 20 overseas members. The criterion for membership is an interest in Pepys, his friends and his diary, and a degree of knowledge about him.

In the early years, club activities consisted of dining, readings from the diary and lectures on various aspects of Samuel Pepys' life. In later years, the club began annual memorial services for Pepys. Papers, which are later published, are read at these memorial services. The club also have annual dinners and outings to places that have historical connections with Pepys. The first dinner of the club was held on 1 December 1903 in the Clothworkers' Company Livery Hall. In 1953, a jubilee dinner was held in Vintners' Hall.