The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Thursday 3 April 2008 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
For the series championing influential works of art, Philip Dodd is joined by writer Claire Tomalin, writer and broadcaster Iain Sinclair and historian Vic Gatrell to discuss The Diary of Samuel Pepys.
Pepys lived in some of the most turbulent years in British history and in these much-celebrated diaries, the MP and naval administrator provided a unique insight into life in London, while also revealing his own colourful personal life.
Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys
by John Hayls
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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In Ancient China living in "interesting times" was considered something of a curse. the wise preferred by far to lead an uneventful but peaceful life.
It's hard to imagine then what they might have made of Samuel Pepys who lived through some of the most turbulent years in British history - the death of Cromwell, the Restoration, the Dutch war, The Great Plague and the Fire of London.
Nor is it easy to imagine what they would have thought about his affairs, his gourmandise, his tirelessness as a Navy administrator and his sheer, vital curiosity about himself and others.
There's no need for us though to stand bemused as tomorrow in Night Waves Pepys and his diary will be celebrated as one of the landmarks of our culture.
Join Philip Dodd and his guests, the biographer, Claire Tomalin, the writer and broadcaster, Iain Sinclair and the historian Vic Gatrell as they re-discover the vim of Pepysian vigour.
The Diary Samuel Pepys: A Selection is published by Penguin Classics.
Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self by Claire Tomalin is published by Penguin Books.
