Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
User Collection Public
The collection consists of a complete autograph diary detailing four years in the lives of Robert Graves and Laura Riding. The period covered is from 22nd February 1935 to 6th May 1939, during which time Graves and Riding lived in Mallorca, Lugano, England, Brittany and Pennsylvania. The 1,546 page diary also contains 117 enclosures of letters from Graves' children, photographs, and press cuttings, as well as 99 other miscellaneous items such as typescripts of poems, articles and letters.
This important diary represents a highly detailed record of four years in the lives of both Robert Graves and Laura Riding, from whom he was seldom separated for more than a few hours throughout the period that it covers. As well as giving full accounts of domestic events - building projects, gardening, jam-making, shopping expeditions, visits from friends and the like - Graves notes precisely the work that he and Laura Riding have accomplished each day, both separately and in collaboration. All their working projects are minutely documented.
Please also see the Robert Graves Diary project website.
Image: Accession Number: 2002-030, Box 5, Folder 6, Lot Gr-24, Item: Gr-77
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/cd1721f5-933f-421f-866f-317957fef51d
Collection Details
- Items 1731
- Last Updated 2025-02-21
Parent Collections (1)
Works (1731)
91. Thursday May 23
- Title:
- Thursday May 23
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-23
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-91
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-23.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Thursday May 23 Terrific rain at 7 am . Then bright day. Waited at Viña [Vieja] for Honor Gordon etc until 12 built fire, fetched groceries. They came, brought four necklaces for Laura, (two a present from Lucy, two on approval) razor for me, & for Gelat, shaving brush for me, boat (customs 287 pesetas) witchhazel, cream for Laura, scent, scent bottle & brooch from Lucy. Laura a bit better. Rest of day spent talking to them & Mary Philips. Baby shown to village. Wire from Constable about T.E. Lawrence letters. 'Harriet Wilson' came. Miguel brought oval table & framed Hippopotame. Letter from Pinker explaining his dealings. So far £14O from article, perhaps more from U.S. (less £5 to Karl, £5 Short £1 to Garett & Pinker's 10%).
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
92. Friday May 24
- Title:
- Friday May 24
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-24
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-92
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection and Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Friday May 24 Razor a success: repaired old one, a present for Carl. To Viña [Vieja] : talk with Honor in new Café( Laura Riding & I) about her affairs. Promised Schwarz stones for his path, from sea. Wrote to Cape confirming my wire about 4/6 edition of Lawrence and the Arabs . To Pinker, explaining and thanking. To Amy Graves about T.E. Lawrence To Lowe paying for Harriet Wilson [Memoirs] To Miss Warrender, thanking for prize To Constable explaining necessity of their applying, not myself. To bank sending money to Nancy Nicholson Ev.St. article came: decently done.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
93. Sat May 25
- Title:
- Sat May 25
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-25
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-93
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-25.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Sat May 25 Rosa brought me two pair of trousers. Letter to John [Aldridge?] thanking for T.E. Lawrence cuttings. To Wrexham Lager Beer about Salabus and diuretics. With Honor to see Ca'n Medo Ca'n Madó & deposito . Discussed Epilogue points with Laura. Wrote out my Focus contribution. Tea at Can Torrent with everyone. New records played. My coin brooch from Palma, very well done. Also last silhouette picture. Letter from Cape, which I answered, about 3/6 juvenile edition of Lawrence and the Arabs . From Kegan Paul about Lars Porsena , answered. From Amy Graves , also answered, with strange news about the devil & Nancy Nicholson W Laura had dreamed of him the night before. Light from turbine: perfectly steady, but dimmed towards the end; only because of a mistake in turning on the water. Visit from Isabel's mother: never wanted to be left in the house alone.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
94. Sunday May 26
- Title:
- Sunday May 26
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-26
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-94
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-26.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Sunday May 26 Laura woke up at 5 with hugely swollen lip. Called me. Went into garden & found a spring onion. She rubbed in on, took LEDUM homeopathically and recovered. Mosquito? Re-wrote letter to Amy Graves , went over three chapters of C.F.V. , did some transcopying. To village to get Carmen to help Honor etc. in Catalina's absence. Wet Damp, heavy day. Went over final Epilogue points with Laura. Len's Film Making (& Laura 's) put in at last moment. Picked 2 lbs of strawberries. Solomon given worm doses. Hot bath in afternoon. Gelat & Bernardo came: Gelat discussed buying Bernardo's spring - only pretence really, to make people think that no water will go from Molí spring. Doctor's machinations again defeated. Gelat is getting my chair made of cherry wood from Ca'n Juni. Checked typing of "Film Making" wrapped up Epilogue to go off tomorrow. Paid Gamage surplus for boat accessories. Gelat has leave to roof hut as boat-house.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
95. Monday May 27
- Title:
- Monday May 27
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-27
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-95
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection and Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-27.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Monday May 27 Epilogue off. Transcribed C.F.V. . Walk to road with Salamo & Carl. Salamo got a sheep by the ear & had to be separated by beating his jaw-muscles with a stone. Lunch at Viña [Vieja] (Gordon & Mary in Palma) then to see Posada from outside and bakery. On return to Canellun felt giddy. Anchovies at lunch. Went to village: to Can Juni; there are more plums and apricots than I expected. On return felt worse, went to bed. Carbon-iron bought. Two packets of Luckies
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
96. May 28, Tuesday.
- Title:
- May 28, Tuesday.
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-28
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-96
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-28.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- May 28, Tuesday. Still rather shaky. Went on with transcopying C.F.V. Then did proofs of Progress of Stories all morning and afternoon: transcopied corrections in another copy for James Reeves. Letter from Pinker about £50 from America for the Lawrence affair: from Constable saying they have talked to Eliot about Collected Letters . Juan brought carbon. Cold day: wore furry boots. Progress of Stories off. Mosquito nets first time this year.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
97. May 29th Wednesday.
- Title:
- May 29th Wednesday.
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-29
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-97
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-29.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- May 29th Wednesday. First really fine day for a month. Went into Palma at 8 o'clock, Laura , Carl & I, because Gelat had a secret: it turned out that he had swapped the old Chandler 9 years old & the Donet (worn out) for a nearly brand-new Hupmobile + 3000 pesetas. We came back in it. Exchanged new ladle for old + 5 pesetas. Bought rope-girdle for myself & Waterman fountain pen (36 pesetas). For the Mesquida (at Nell) a 20 [year] old flower-painted tray. A shell necklace for Honor (8 pesetas) & ring with emeralds (25 pesetas). Socks etc for Gordon. Black & gold stuff for shirt for me. (Carl, stuff for 5 shirts) Gelat appeared with key of Posada. The Cura had been shocked to find that he didn't get the 150 pesetas himself but begged the lawyer that nobody should know. Gelat told us of his challenge to the médico to a personal duel. The médico did not leave his house that day. His relations extorted a promise from him that he would leave Gelat alone, if Gelat did nothing further. Gelat said he had said “ Guardias or no guardias, judge or no judge, either you or I or, perhaps both, will go (to) the cementario .” & “I'd have run him down with the camión – you know how easily these things happen.” Bought myself 5 pairs of alpargatas (1 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow, 2 white) May 29th Continued. We came back. Went to see the Posada with Honor & Gordon & Mary. Everyone delighted. Honor said “The nicest house in Deyá.” Gelat said: “ Viña Vieja furniture will be at your disposal soon, because it is to be rented unfurnished.” Gelat is also going probably to rent half Fábrica as a café etc. To Margarita's. I to see turbines – deposito now completed. Schwarz with knee with water on. Letter from Harrison. 6 weeks sales about 10,000: reckon that 3 months will be 16,000 and 2000 I,Claudius . Late visit to give Honor emerald ring: and then ( Laura & I) at 10 pm to see the turbines working.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
98. May 30th Thursday.
- Title:
- May 30th Thursday.
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-30
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-98
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection and Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-30.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- May 30th Thursday. Work all morning on C.F.V. . Sent off 1/5th to Barker to forward to Curtis Brown as a sample for translation rights. Did some new. To sea, with Honor Gordon Mary Carl Salamo. Bathed, not so cold – unsuccessful diving for a shell. Collected stones for Schwarz 's steps. High tea at Canellun. Umbrella got jammed. Letter from Liddell Hart asking if he was meant in the Evening Standard letter. Replied evasively, but friendlily.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
99. May 31 Friday.
- Title:
- May 31 Friday.
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-05-31
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-99
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection and Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-31.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- May 31 Friday. Miguel came & planned out gauze fly-screens. Mended jammed umbrella. 10 pp of C.F.V. To sea in afternoon: Viña Vieja 's down at sea, including the baby. Collected stones, brought up sea-urchin. Letters from Jonathan with contract, Amy Graves , Sanders with a/c (two years due £20.9.9) and Strabo, Pausanias, Apuleius, Pliny's Natural History from Heffer. Gelat pleased with his Rolls Razor – promised various things – gravel, Posada masoning, boat house roof etc – not for the first time.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
100. June 1 Saturday.
- Title:
- June 1 Saturday.
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-06-01
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page : 12 x 19.5 cm or smaller
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- The diary is written on quarto sheets, folded horizontally to form octavo booklets, one recto page devoted to each day.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Robert Graves Diary, 1935-1939
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- diaries
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1969-003, Item: Gr-1-100
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection and Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-06-01.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 1 Saturday. Letters to Jonathan returning contract, Arnie Lawrence offering help in T.E. Lawrence memorial volume, Pinker telling him to pay Albatross money into my a/c, Sanders paying & asking him to send remaining books. To village for sheep-head. Everyone doing Focuses . Walk with Carl. Laura not too well. 1 lb of strawberries. Gelat in a murderous state about médico: seriously talked of killing him. Médico has gone back on his promise about not interfering with the water. Laura & I had to talk him into a quiet state of mind – offering to do everything possible to help. Broke a bit off tooth; must see dentist Thursday.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.