The Diary · Character

Mr. Povy

The Tangier treasurer whose muddled accounts and cagey questions about Pepys's bills make every meeting a small contest of profit and suspicion.

supporting

Also known as Povy, Thomas Povy

First appearance: january 1659 60

As a supporting figure in The Diary, Mr. Povy is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Thomas Povy, treasurer for Tangier affairs; his incompetence led to Pepys replacing him as treasurer.

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Povy handles money for Tangier and moves through Whitehall, the Exchange, and tavern dinners where the real business is who owes what to whom. He consents to Pepys's bill one moment and quizzes him about his demands the next, a man whose disorganization breeds both dependence and distrust. His dealings with Creed and his ten-percent interest games expose the era's casual blur between public funds and private gain, making him a perfect foil for Pepys's own careful bookkeeping.

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Character Web

20 connections

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Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Naval and Court Officials
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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Relationships

Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
professional · ambivalent
Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
professional · ambivalent

Relationship notes

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In the story

Mr. Povy appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys
Thomas Povy, treasurer for Tangier affairs; his incompetence led to Pepys replacing him as treasurer.
December 1662
Mentioned in Pepys' letter regarding neglect of Tangier boats.
February 1662–63
Hosts a dinner for Pepys and Mr. Gawden, discusses Tangier victualling.
May 1664
Pepys criticizes his handling of Lord Peterborough's accounts, calling him a coxcomb.
July 1664
Shows Pepys his new perspective; asks Pepys to help with victualling contractors, surprising him.
December 1664
Involved in Tangier business; Pepys secures a note from him for payment and later receives a 'rub' about the bill.
January 1664–65
Dines with Pepys, shows him Somerset House, and is described as a simple fellow in accounts.
February 1664–65
Proposes Pepys for membership at Gresham College; is scorned for his poor accounting at the Committee of Tangier.
March 1664–65
Resigns his place as Treasurer for Tangier in favor of Pepys; Pepys finds him silly.
April 1665
Clerk Tasborough works on his accounts; discusses Tangier finances and discourages Pepys about getting money; behaves boldly with Mercer.
May 1665
Discusses difficulty of getting money and proposes a new Treasurer; Pepys visits him repeatedly.
June 1665
Meets Pepys at Sir Thomas Viner's funeral and engages in discourse.
July 1665
Discusses Tangier payments with Pepys on July 1st and July 7th.
March 1665–66
Meets with Pepys to settle Tangier reckonings; later comes by appointment but is turned away.
May 1667
Tangier Commissioner; meets Pepys at Lord Chancellor's regarding the Tangier Commission.
July 1667
Tells Pepys about the King's quarrel with Lady Castlemayne and the push for an army.
July 1668
Shows Pepys his closet with a round table and lends him books on the Navy.
November 1668
Povy dines with Pepys and advises him to become a Parliament-man in the next Parliament.
January 1668–69
Advises Pepys on Tangier treasury matters and shares gossip about court intrigues.

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