1633-1703. English diarist. His diary,
written 1659-69 (when his sight failed) in
shorthand, was a unique record of both the
daily life of the period and the intimate
feelings of the man. It was not deciphered
until 1825. He was born in London, entered
the navy office 1660, and was secretary to
the Admiralty 1672-79, when he was imprisoned
in the Tower of London on suspicion of being
connected with the Popish Plot (see Titus
Oates). He was then reinstated in 1684 but
finally deprived of his post after the 1688
Revolution, for suspected disaffection.