Which role did Samuel Pepys hold during the reign of James II?

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Diarist Samuel Pepys — Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys, oil painting by John Hayls, 1666; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

During the reign of James II, Samuel Pepys served as the secretary of the affairs of the Admiralty of England.1

Recalled to this post by Charles II in 1684, Pepys held the position for four and a half years, a tenure that encompassed the entirety of James II’s reign. In this role, he effectively combined the modern functions of first lord and secretary of the Admiralty, acting as the administrative head of the navy and representing the department in Parliament. His work during this period was marked by significant efforts to reform and rebuild the naval service, including the establishment of a special commission for the recovery of the navy in 1686.1