On May 26 1903, the bicentenary of the death of Samuel Pepys, four distinguished Pepysians dined at the Garrick Club and resolved that 'a Pepys dining club should be formed during the present year'. They were Sir Frederick Bridge, Organist of Westminster Abbey, and author of 'Samuel Pepys, Lover of Musick'; Sir D'Arcy Power, surgeon and medical writer; George Whale, writer and bibliophile; and Henry B. Wheatley, editor of the third edition of the Diary.  Well-known admirers of Pepys were invited to join the Club and membership was restricted to 70, Pepys' age when he died, (now doubled to 140 members residing in the UK and up to 14 overseas members).

Although membership has always included those who have made significant academic contributions to Pepysian studies (notably the Pepys Librarian of Magdalene College, Cambridge, where Pepys' Diary is kept), anyone who has a genuine personal interest in Pepys and his times, qualifies for membership, following proposal by an existing member.

The membership is eclectic and reflects the spirit of a club rather than a learned society.If you have a genuine interest in Pepys and wish to be considered for membership please e-mail the secretary at the address linked below.

The club members are able to take part in a number of events each year. The only membership requirement is that each member is expected to attend at least one event every two years.
In May on a date close to May 26, the day on which Pepys died, a memorial service is held in St. Olaves Hart Street, at which the Lord Mayor is often present and lays a wreath on the Pepys memorial. An address is given on a subject which has some bearing on an aspect of Pepys’ life. Previous speakers have included Prof. Robert Latham, the transcriber of the modern edition of the diary; Claire Tomalin, author of Pepys’ biography “The Unequalled Self”; Enoch Powell, Sir Bernard Miles and Prof. Trevor-Roper. The service is followed by lunch in Clothworkers’ Hall.
In the autumn the annual dinner is held, often in one of the City Livery halls.
In addition during the course of each year outings and meetings are arranged at places connected with Pepys’ life.
The AGM and election of officers for the year is held in December and is followed by a short talk on some aspect of Pepys’ life and a light tea. Most of these events are paid for by Club members at cost. The annual subscription is currently £30 payable on January 1st.

The President of the Club is the Earl of Sandwich who is the direct descendant of Pepys’ cousin and patron, the first earl.