# Mr. Pierce — The Diary character guide

> Mr. Pierce in The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pierce, Mr. Pierce the chirurgeon

**First appearance:** 0003-january-1659-60

## Snapshot

A surgeon whose well-appointed table, plentiful wine, and court gossip make him one of Pepys's most useful and pleasant London acquaintances.

## Who they are

Pierce the surgeon keeps a house where Pepys dines on chine of beef, drinks too much wine, and hears his daughter play the virginals, a domestic scene that doubles as a listening post. Through him come tidings of duels, deaths, and the small scandals that Pepys savors, and his wife moves in the same gossipy circle as Mrs. Turner. He matters because he shows the diary's social method: pleasure, information, and obligation all served at the same table.

## In the story

### [April 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1660)

Comes on board and drinks wine in Pepys's cabin.

### [October 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1661)

Purser consulted about items to be sent to Lord Sandwich for the Queen's provision.

### [April 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1663)

Advises Pepys about not disobliging commanders, regarding the Holmes feud.

### [November 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1663)

Shares court gossip with Pepys about Lord Sandwich's standing and the King's infatuation with Mrs. Stewart.

### [January 1663–64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1663-64)

Pepys walks with him at Whitehall and hears gossip about the King and Mrs. Stewart.

### [May 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1664)

Pepys visits his house; observes his wife's slatternly habits and sees an opium experiment on a dog.

### [September 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1664)

Dines with Pepys and Creed.

### [December 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1665)

Pierce brings news from Oxford about Lord Sandwich's favor and the Duke of York's new command.

### [October 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1667)

Dines with Pepys and shares gossip about the Marshalls and Nell Gwyn.

### [August 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1668)

Attends the dance with his wife and children.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/mr_pierce
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters