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)
1031. Oct 23 Saturday.
- Title:
- Oct 23 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1937-10-23
- 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-1-979
- 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_1937-10-23.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 23 Saturday. Was going to London: but not necessary because flat matters seem settled. Wrote letters all morning and in afternoon went with Harry & Alix by car to Ash near Aldershot to buy apples from Mr. Burt's brother (Mr Burt came with us) there. Very well, & Mr Burt misdirected us. On the way back at Guildford bought Laura garnet ring for 19/-, (Georgian[)] and a tea-cup & saucer for personal use at Shere – also a crystal candlestick for Alix (7/6). R Norman was here, so did no Belisarius , except going over yesterday's work, felt tired, went to bed.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1032. Enclosure – Collectively Written Poem “Sonnet”
- Title:
- Enclosure – Collectively Written Poem “Sonnet”
- 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:
- 1937-10-24
- 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-1-980
- 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_1937-10-24_02_enc.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Collectively Written Poem “Sonnet” Sonnet The courage of the Dog no man denied James Who had not heard the ghostly bugle blow Robert Nor might suspicion turn its face aside – Laura It was not far away, nor long ago. Norman Though guilty of the very crime he tried Harry (the angels looking down beheld his woe) James He would not trust those gardens to provide, Robert His greedy eye would no frank gift bestow. Laura For when the hunger ended, greed began, Norman He counted all his friends among the quick Harry Crying out 'Desolation on this city!' James For such has ever been the fate of man Robert To prate of reason like a lunatic Laura And shut his doors & windows out of pity. Norman No words, only conjunctives & sequences changed.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1033. Enclosure – Sentence Game
- Title:
- Enclosure – Sentence Game
- 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:
- 1937-10-24
- 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-1-980
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1937-10-24_01_enc.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Sentence Game Any sepulcher requires constant refuelling of its duly emptied but slightly, nevertheless, soiled – what may be with genuine accuracy miscalled, perhaps, unsightly detritus – firt or sorry ch-can, whereas no sepulchre becomes in such degree empty of associations, owing to filial or pre-natal success in achieving the cause of whereby all illustrious figures corrupt their realities and vanish, withered yet alive hypothetically that it requires ministrations characteristically devoted to domestic resuscitation yet still abstract and only half sincere. If those things which now you hear told of men are of soon lost in night, noise, scorn or jest, why, dark must be faith when you hear things grow queer — though of small use to books, breds, God, be your faith. Whether we all decide to believe the description given by our self constituted lying mentors or eye witnesses of conditions in territories subject to democratic criticism, or decide to investigate from inside all appearance of doubtful suggestions, whichever disgust pre- dominates most in prophecy, let us accept unswervingly the main conclusions implied in thoughts undoubtedly cooperative in approaching the future, no matter what anyone may individually propound from reading lying accounts he has no business to read
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1034. Oct 24 Sunday.
- Title:
- Oct 24 Sunday.
- 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:
- 1937-10-24
- 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-1-980
- 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_1937-10-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 24 Sunday. Ra Drive Norman Harry Alix L & me to Chichester to James & Mary – also Bridget there – Sunny drive Picnic lunch, talk, sentence game, a son communal sonnet composed & sent to the T.L.S. as the work of Beddoes Laura with a heavy cold. Heavy rain on return: 5 pages Belisarius .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1035. Oct 25 Monday.
- Title:
- Oct 25 Monday.
- 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:
- 1937-10-25
- 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-1-981
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1937-10-25.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 25 Monday. Heavy weather: 11 pages Belisarius . Harry & Alix to London to see Abou Kayer & flathunt. Alan in afternoon — to cheer up us up. Talked about about Greed & Laziness: went for walk in growing Thunderstorm (L, Alan, Karl & I) & after supper talked about literalness. I went over Year of Damage for shortening – because Constable & Heinemann both reported it lacked vitality. L & Alan discussing an a W.H.Auden article for him to write.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1036. Oct 26 Tuesday.
- Title:
- Oct 26 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:
- 1937-10-26
- 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-1-982
- 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_1937-10-26.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 26 Tuesday. 12 pages Belisarius , finishing Chapter XVI; more talk with Alan & Karl & L about literalness. Alix & Harry away still: have got a flat in Abbey Road. Laura working at last section of Int.Affairs book. Her poems sent to Heinemann. Went with Alan to Cranleigh & he to London: walked back in dark across fields. Karl & Marie went to circus: to whose music Solace has been listening entranced all day.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1037. Oct 27 Wednesday.
- Title:
- Oct 27 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:
- 1937-10-27
- 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-1-983
- 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_1937-10-27.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 27 Wednesday. 18 pages Belisarius Chapter XVII Wet sort of day. A walk round the fields and found a mushroom, gun-cartridges, a horseshoe. Alix & Harry came back late for supper. Read Year of Damage for shortening.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1038. Oct 28 Thursday.
- Title:
- Oct 28 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:
- 1937-10-28
- 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-1-984
- 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_1937-10-28.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 28 Thursday. 15 pages Belisarius Chapter 17, which means typed page 317 about: & a walk after dark with Laura The Random House letter came today & was on the whole satisfactory: I wrote a long careful answer. Laura getting on well with the last section of the Letter Book . Sunny day: arrows. But no marbles, a chill having fallen athwart things. Topaz lost from Laura's ring: noticed when out walking.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1039. Oct 29 Friday.
- Title:
- Oct 29 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:
- 1937-10-29
- 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-1-985
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1937-10-29.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 29 Friday. Found topaz by rationalized search, at top of stairs... Laura said. 'You ought to buy a grocery shop & sell jams & pickles & say “I made them all myself”. That would be your madness.' 15 pages finishing Chapter XVII Belisarius . A walk in the misty through moist woods.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1040. Oct 30 Saturday.
- Title:
- Oct 30 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1937-10-30
- 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-1-986
- 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_1937-10-30.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Oct 30 Saturday. To London : Karl at Highcroft in charge of Solace. Laura arranged things at Boulestin's lobby with Wing Commander Gayford; while I bought socks, arranged repair of dressing gown, bought 2 cotton jerseys for 10/6 each. Norman at Boulestins. Oysters, pheasant supreme, white burgundy, braised celery, figs flambées and coffee. (£2.7.6; Norman's show) & then with Alan to drinks at a pub. Bought a penetentiary dog-kennel & sea shells money-box for Norman for his dreary visitors 1/- a time. Norman took us to St Peter's Square & off to Arkesden, leaving his suitcase behind. A walk along the Mall at dusk with Laura & round by Chiswick High Road. Len & Jane came after supper: Len talking about his Hollywood plans. Sunday Express rang up & told me I was a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. I made no statement beyond that this was the first I had heard of it.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.