How did Samuel Pepys prepare himself to work as a naval administrator?

Initially, Samuel Pepys was largely ignorant of the functions required of his position as clerk of the acts of the navy. However, in 1662, he resolved to master his duties to prove himself equal to his colleagues.1

To equip himself for his role, Pepys undertook a rigorous program of self-improvement during his leisure time:

• Technical Education: He learned the multiplication table and attended lectures on shipbuilding.2
• Market Research: He studied the costs of naval stores, such as oil and tar, by visiting shops to inquire about prices, which helped him save the Royal Navy money.2
• Administrative Discipline: He established a systematic approach to record-keeping by maintaining copies of official letters and documenting contracts and memoranda in large vellum books, which were organized with the help of his wife, Elizabeth, and her maids.2

Through this dedication to industry and efficiency, Pepys eventually transformed the navy's administrative standards and became a central figure in English naval history.2