# Lord Brouncker — The Diary character guide > Lord Brouncker in The Diary by Samuel Pepys. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Brouncker, my Lord Brouncker, Lord Brouncker **First appearance:** 0003-january-1659-60 ## Snapshot A naval commissioner and Royal Society president whose table and connections make him both a useful ally and a puzzle Pepys never quite solves. ## Who they are Brouncker moves between Admiralty business and the scientific world, hosting dinners where Pepys's political victories are toasted and lending his acquaintance to men of learning. He is a man of parts and standing, yet Pepys watches him with a mixture of respect and wariness, never fully certain where his loyalties settle. His presence threads the diary's twin obsessions — the Navy Office and the new philosophy — through the middle years. ## In the story ### [January 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1664-65) Hosts a French dinner with a ballet; later carries Pepys to Mr. Povy's. ### [February 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1664-65) Pepys goes to the 'Change with him and is admitted to Gresham College by him as President. ### [May 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1665) Joins the coach to Colonel Blunt's house for experiments. ### [August 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1665) Visits Woolwich with Commissioner Pett and a lady; Pepys meets him there. ### [September 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1665) Provides his coach for Pepys's journey to Nonsuch; dines and sups with Pepys and Captain Cocke. ### [November 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1665) Celebrates his birthday with green ribands and hosts Pepys at Erith. ### [December 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1665) Lord Brouncker accompanies Pepys to the Duke of Albemarle and notes the Duchess's insulting remark about Lord Sandwich. ### [January 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1665-66) Accompanies Pepys to London, engages in office business, and provides merry company. ### [February 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1665-66) Dines with Pepys and Captain Cocke; Pepys rides with him and his mistress Madam Williams. ### [March 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1665-66) Accompanies Pepys to Guildhall and to Sir Robert Long; dines with Pepys at the White Horse. ### [May 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1666) Gives Pepys a French book; Captain Cocke complains of his treatment by Brouncker. ### [June 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1666) Brouncker brings Captain Cocke's proposal to the Duke of York's meeting. ### [August 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1666) Receives Pepys coldly when he visits, making Pepys regret his officiousness. ### [October 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1666) Signs papers for the Navy lists; appears busy with Queen's council. ### [January 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1666-67) Dines at Sir W. Penn's and at Pepys's, later makes a poor congratulatory speech at the Royal Society. ### [February 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1666-67) Concerned with the Carcasse affair against Sir W. Batten; leaves the office after a dispute with Sir W. Penn. ### [March 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1666-67) Argues in favor of Carcasse, leading to a public foil that displeases him. ### [April 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1667) Involved in office disputes over Carcasse's case, with Pett eager to use it against him. ### [October 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1667) Under scrutiny in Parliament for advising to shorten sail during the Dutch war; faces potential impeachment. ### [November 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1667) Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall to see the Duke of York, but they are unable to speak with him. ### [February 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1667-68) Attends the Duke of York's chamber and later goes to the play with Pepys and Sir W. Penn. ### [March 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1667-68) Attends Council with Pepys and Penn to discuss manning the fleet. ### [April 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1668) Attends the Duke of York's playhouse and the Royal Society with Pepys. ### [May 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1668) Gives Pepys a ride; dines with him at Mrs. Williams's; attends Teddiman's burial. ### [June 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1668) Dines with Pepys and others; noted as being ill later in the chapter. ### [August 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1668) Discusses with Pepys a design to reform the Navy Office. ### [September 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1668) Attends Treasury meeting about the victualling-contract with Pepys and Penn. ### [October 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1668) Pepys secures his assent for T. Hater's place; also involved with the Royal Society. ### [November 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1668) Brouncker is absent from the Office, causing Pepys to delay delivering the Duke of York's letter. ### [December 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1668) Brouncker is referenced in the Ticket-Office dispute. ### [January 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1668-69) Accompanies Pepys to the King's elaboratory; present at court discussions. ### [February 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1668-69) Attends council with Pepys and discusses the King's decision on Ormond's governorship. ### [April 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1669) Dines at Sir W. Penn's with his mistress, then accompanies Pepys and Elizabeth. ### [May 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1669) Pepys visits him; he is ill with the gout and his lodgings are blamed for it. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/lord_brouncker - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters