Henry Benjamin Wheatley (1838-1917) was an eminent bibliographer, author and editor who served as assistant secretary to the Royal Society of Arts between 1879 and his retirement in 1908. He also had a particular interest in the life of Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), founding the Samuel Pepys Club in 1903 and producing the most reliable edition of Pepys’ diary until the Latham edition (1970-1983). This volume, first published in 1880, contains a detailed biography of Pepys. Using contemporary sources, Wheatley discusses Pepys’ achievements during the period his diary was kept, his progression in the Navy Board and his resignation in 1689. Wheatley also provides fascinating descriptions of Restoration society, manners and customs, exploring the historical context of Samuel Pepys’ life through discussions of various incidents taken from his diary. This volume remains a standard reference for the historical context of Pepys’ diary and life.