The study, published on March 26, 2026, investigates Samuel Pepys' ownership of at least two enslaved individuals, a fact previously acknowledged in historical records.
Pepys' candid references to slavery in his personal correspondence suggest a complex relationship with the institution, which he did not shy away from discussing.
This research emphasizes the need to reassess historical narratives surrounding prominent figures in 17th-century London, considering the broader context of slavery's impact on society and infrastructure.