(1633–1703)
an Englishman known today because of his detailed diaries, written between 1660 and 1669 but not published until the 19th century. He was a senior government officer in the service of two kings, Charles II and James II , and he wrote about court and social life in the 17th century, as well as recording major events such as the Great Fire of London . He also included many private details about his own life. He knew many of the most important figures of his day, including Sir Christopher Wren and Sir Isaac Newton . Pepys often ended his writing for the day with the phrase ‘And so to bed’, which people sometimes use in a humorous way today.