The Diary · Character

Roger Pepys

Samuel's lawyer cousin and MP, whose cheerful family dinners and legal savvy make him both a comfort and a reminder of the Pepys clan's tangled ambitions.

supporting

Also known as Roger, cousin Roger Pepys, Roger Pepys

First appearance: January 1659–60

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

Cousin of Samuel Pepys; mentioned in relation to the family's Scottish origins.

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Roger Pepys moves between Westminster, the Inns of Court, and Samuel's own table, a relative whose professional standing mirrors the family's rise from tailor's shop to parliamentary bench. He arrives for merry afternoons of dinner and talk, yet his world of bills, suits, and pedigree quietly presses on Samuel's own hunger for position. His presence in the early diary anchors Samuel to kin and to the law at once, showing how private affection and public advancement run on the same track.

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Character Web

17 connections

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Relationship types

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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In the story

Roger Pepys appears across 29 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys
Cousin of Samuel Pepys; mentioned in relation to the family's Scottish origins.
January 1659–60
Pepys's cousin; mentioned in the context of family and financial matters.
February 1659–60
Mentioned as cousin; Pepys sits with him discussing public business.
March 1659–60
Mentioned as speaking kindly of Pepys to Mr. Sheply.
January 1660–61
Cousin; Pepys dines at his house and notes his second wife.
July 1661
Cousin Roger; encountered at Westminster Hall, later consulted for legal counsel regarding the estate.
August 1661
Cousin of Samuel Pepys; provides advice on the uncle's will and discusses the poor conduct of young men in Parliament.
December 1661
Cousin; mentioned in the context of family and legal matters.
January 1661–62
Cousin Thomas Pepys the Executor discusses money matters and uncle Thomas's stance.
August 1662
Mentioned in context of family matters; Pepys writes to his brother John.
March 1662–63
Dines with Pepys and reports on the King's anger at Parliament.
April 1663
Discusses Parliament's efforts against Popery and concerns about Nonconformists.
July 1663
Pepys intends to meet him at Thomas Pepys's house; mentioned in the context of family visits.
August 1663
Pepys's father; discontented and reluctant to come to Pepys's house due to differences with Elizabeth.
February 1663–64
Cousin; Pepys writes to him about his complaints and later visits him in pain from a boil.
April 1664
Pepys's father, who stays with him and evokes deep affection and concern for his family's welfare.
May 1664
Pepys visits him and is vexed by his talk of paying brother's debts.
September 1664
Mentioned in context of family debts; Prior of Brampton pays Pepys £40.
December 1664
Dines with Pepys and Mrs. Turner, and later meets at cousin Scott's.
February 1666–67
Pepys's brother John takes leave to go to Brampton; Pepys reflects on being left without a brother or sister.
June 1667
Cousin of Samuel; newly arrived from the country, discusses a possible match for Pall and family history.
July 1667
Consults Pepys about a possible marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Wiles.
December 1667
Meets Pepys in Westminster Hall and expresses fears about the Commons' high vote against the Lords, wishing the King would dissolve Parliament.
February 1667–68
Meets Pepys at Westminster Hall to discuss Mr. Jackson's settlement for Pepys's sister Pall.
March 1667–68
Walks with Pepys and Creed; believes only dissolving Parliament can save the nation.
June 1668
Eager for Pepys to stay in town and bring his family for a visit.
September 1668
Invites Pepys to Sturbridge-Fair; entertains Mrs. Pepys and W. Hewer.
November 1668
Cousin Roger visits Pepys, dines with him, and seals a mortgage; Pepys trusts his integrity without reading the document.
March 1668–69
Met at cousin Stradwick's; his wife and daughters are visiting.

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See Roger Pepys in January 1659–60

See Roger Pepys in Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys