Can We Really Learn from History?
April 2020
It’s almost unbelievable that the entire world could land in such a place. Aside from Hollywood and sci-fi writers, who could have even imagined the scenario we have today? Who would have ever predicted such a drastic global economic downturn would take place in March 2020? Who knows how many people will be forever impacted, one way or another, by this novel coronavirus?
Two weeks ago I posted a blog with a timeline of my business activities from mid-December through mid-March, overlaid with the coronavirus goings-on. It was stunning to see, in black and white, just how quickly the world fell off a cliff.
This timeline reminded me of one of my all-time favorite reads, The Diary of Samuel Pepys. Ever since my childhood, I have loved reading British history and historic novels. I found Pepys’ diary, his own private journal, especially fascinating.
As Secretary to the British Admiralty during the reign of Charles II & James II, Pepys held a leadership role somewhat similar to a Cabinet-level position today. Relatively well off, he did not live in the typical cramped London housing, he did not routinely mix with the poor, and he was not required to keep his family in London in the event of a crisis. Never-the-less, through his ten years of daily journal entries (from December 31, 1659 until May 1669), I found Pepys to be a rather humble and pragmatic heartfelt leader.
Surely he never expected his daily recounting of his innermost thoughts, his private life and public activities would be read by millions of people for hundreds of years. But here we are.
Thanks to Pepys’ sharing of his sparkling wit and sense of humor, I came to realize people are people. Men and women really were not much different then than we are now. Our most basic wants, needs, and apprehensions have remained much the same for centuries. Science and technology has changed dramatically, but that’s about it.
This is why I love reading factual accountings of history. Learning from those who went before gives me hope and confidence that, even in times such as this, we will make it through to see better days.
I first read Pepys’ diary 30 years ago. Yet, when the current situation began to unfold, I immediately and vividly recalled Pepys’ day-by-day recounting of the Great Plague of London. Reading this again now, I find his journal entries all-the-more compelling and relatable. And I’m all-the-more grateful for modern day science and technology. No matter how bleak our current situation may seem to some, societies today stand to fare far better than those in Pepys’ time.
So … while we are sheltered-in-place, instead of blogging about yet another aspect of leadership, I’ll share a history lesson with you. My hope is that you will more fully appreciate the wonderful world we now live in, and you will be even more grateful for all the dedicated servant leaders and courageous everyday heroes who surround us.
Let’s now take a quick peek into a year in the life of Samuel Pepys.
The Great Plague of London began in 1665 and lasted for over 18 months. It was the last major epidemic of the bubonic plague, endemic in 17th century London. First transmitted through the bite on an infected rat flea, the Great Plague of London killed between 75,000 and 100,000 people, up to a fifth of the city’s population. As you can imagine, it was much feared and not well understood at the time.
Pepys’ diary entries from late 1663 through 1664 occasionally mentioned a plague in Amsterdam which was spreading among the Dutch. Then, in the spring of 1665, he began to mention “the sickness” in his hometown of London. Here are a few excerpts:
April 30th
Great fears of the sickness here in the City, it being said that two or three houses are already shut up. God preserve us all!
[NOTE: The houses of people infected by the plague were mandated to be “shut up”, often with the victim inside, and a one-foot high red cross marked on the door. The phrase “shut up” meant to be locked up, quarantined, held prisoner.]
June 7th
The hottest day that ever I felt in my life. This day, much against my will, I did in Drury Lane see two or three houses marked with a red cross upon the doors, and "Lord have mercy upon us!" writ there; which was a sad sight to me, being the first of that kind that, to my remembrance, I ever saw. It put me into an ill conception of myself and my smell, so that I was forced to buy some roll-tobacco to smell to and chaw, which took away the apprehension.
[Note: Tobacco was highly prized for its medicinal value, especially against the plague.]
June 17th
It struck me very deep this afternoon going with a hackney coach from Lord Treasurer’s down Holborne, the coachman I found to drive … at last stood still, and come down, hardly able to stand, and told me that he was suddenly struck very sick, and almost blind–he could not see; so I went into another coach, with a sad heart for the poor man and for myself also, lest he should have been struck with the plague.
[NOTE: A hackney coach is a for-hire, four-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses, with seating for six.]
June 21st
In great pain whether to send my mother into the country today or no … At last, I resolved to put it to her, and she agreed to go, because of the sickness in town, and my intentions of removing my wife.
June 28th
On my way to Westminster Hall, I observed several plague-houses in King’s Street and near the Palace.
June 29th
By water to White Hall, where the Court full of wagons and people ready to go out of town. This end of the town every day grows very bad of the plague. The Mortality Bill is come to 267; which is about ninety more than the last.
June 30th
Myself and family in good health ... in a sickly time of the plague growing on. Having upon my hands the troublesome care of the Treasury of Tangier, with great sums drawn upon me, and nothing to pay them with … Consideration of removing my wife to Woolwich.
July 5th
Walked round to White Hall, the Park being quite locked up; and I observed a house shut up today in the Pell Mell.
July 10th
… at the Parke pale, where one of his saddle-horses was ready for me, he himself not daring to come into the house or be seen, because a servant of his, out of his house, happened to be sick, but not yet dead, but was never to come into his house after he was ill. … It is I perceive, an unpleasant thing to be at Court, everybody being fearful one of another, and all so sad enquiring after the plague.
July 17th
… But, Lord! To see, among other things, how all these great people here are afraid of London, being doubtful of anything that comes from thence, or that hath lately been there, that I was forced to say that I lived wholly at Woolwich.
July 18th
… did give Mrs. Michell, who is going out of town because of the sickness, and her husband, a pint of wine. I was much troubled by this day with her, at Westminster, how the officers do bury the dead in the open Tuttle-fields, pretending want of room elsewhere; whereas the new chapel church-yard was walled-in at the public charge in the last plague time, merely for want of room; and now none, but such as are able to pay dear for it, can be buried here.
[NOTE: “Tuttle-fields” was the highest spot in and around the flat region of Westminster, where pest-houses were built to isolate people with infectious diseases, such as leprosy and the plague.]
July 21st
… the plague growing very raging, and my apprehension of it great.
July 31st
Thus we end this month … under some difficulty because of the plague, which grows mightily upon us, the last week being about 1,700 or 1,800 of the plague.
August 15th
It was dark before I could get home, and so landed at Church-yard stairs, where, to my great trouble, I met a dead corps of the plague, in the narrow alley, just bringing down a little pair of stairs. But I thank God I was not much disturbed at it.
August 16th
To the Exchange, where I have not been in a great while. But, Lord! How sad a sight it is to see the streets empty of people, and very few upon the ‘Change! Jealous of every door that one sees shut up, lest it should be the plague; and about us two shops in three, if not more, generally shut up.
August 31st
… the plague having a great increase this week, beyond all expectation, of almost 2,000, making the general Bill 7,000, odd 100; and the plague above 6,000. Thus, this month ends with great sadness upon the public, through the greatness of the plague everywhere, through the kingdom almost. Everyday, sadder and sadder news of its increase. In the City died this week 7,496; and of them, 6,102 of the plague. But it is feared that the true number of the dead this week is near 10,000, partly from the poor that cannot be taken notice of, through the greatness of the number, and partly from the Quakers and others that will not have any bell ring for them. … As to myself, I am very well, only in fear of the plague….
Pepys’ diary entries of the Great Plague continued on for more than a year until:
November 20th 1666
I to the office a little, and then to church, it being Thanksgiving day for the cessation of the plague; but, Lord! how the town do say that it is hastened before the plague is quite over, there dying some people still.
[Note: According to the Bills of Mortality for 1666, seven persons died of the plague in London during the week of November 20 – 27, and more in the weeks to come.]
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What I have shared with you here is but a small portion of Pepys’ writings during these times. Anyone reading his entries in their entirety will be able to see that life in London carried on as usual throughout the 18 months the plague endured, ultimately killing 20% of the population.
In 1665 London, people needed to go to work, to be out and about with the general population if they were to have money to buy food. There were no government subsidies or stimulus packages, no unemployment benefits. There were no ERs or hospitals to test, treat or heal sick people. Rather, plague victims were shut up in their houses or banished to isolation buildings where they suffered and died.
From history, we have learned a great deal.
Now we have science. We develop innovative, life-saving medications and technologies every day. Where additional hospitals or quarantine wards are critically needed, we mobilize the military to create them. We have brilliant, dedicated and resourceful medical teams willing to work almost non-stop to save lives. Our government, corporations, and small businesses, together, think outside the box to produce whatever is needed to fight and win the battle we are in.
History awakens us to be more grateful for our many blessings.
History reminds us that, soon, today will be history and we will have learned much from this experience.
We are all in together, dear friends. The sun will continue to shine and someday life will be even better than it was before this pandemic began.
We know this … because we do learn from history.