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Why did Samuel Pepys retire from public service in 1689?
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Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys, oil painting by John Hayls, 1666; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Samuel Pepys retired from public service at the beginning of 1689 following the deposition of James II, who had been driven from the country during the events of the Glorious Revolution.12
Having served as the secretary of the affairs of the Admiralty and as a key administrator under James II, Pepys stepped down from his position once the Kingâs reign ended and the political landscape shifted. By the time of his retirement, he had successfully rebuilt the Royal Navy, significantly increasing its fighting strength and establishing a lasting administrative tradition of order and discipline. Following his departure from office, he spent his remaining years in retirement, focusing on his library and historical research.12