The Diary of Samuel Pepys is being published online as a daily blog as literature enthusiasts take advantage of technology to open up the classics to new audiences.

The detailed private diary he kept during 1660–1669 was first published in the nineteenth century, and is one of the most important primary sources for the English Restoration period. It provides a combination of personal revelation and eyewitness accounts of great events, such as the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War and the Great Fire of London and also reveals his jealousies, insecurities, trivial concerns, and his fractious relationship with his wife. Gossip from the 17th century – if you will.

A new entry written by Pepys will be published each day over the course of several years; 1 January 1660 was published on 1 January 2003. You can read the archives and catch up.

The Diary of Samuel Pepys – right here. Discussion groups ‘n all.

You can even get paper doll cutouts and play along – ah…maybe not.