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)
1581. Jan 10 Tuesday
- Title:
- Jan 10 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:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-01-10
- 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-1-1430
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1939-01-10.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Jan 10 Tuesday Laura, feeling faint & bilious, stayed in bed until 3 o'clock. Finished poem – We Once , , The Love Beast , in 7 lines, three more drafts. Still reading Dunn's book Did not go at out; knee all but well. Three drafts of a five-line poem about a hostage Chamberlain & Halifax go to Rome by way of Paris
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1582. Jan 11 Friday Wednesday
- Title:
- Jan 11 Friday 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:
- 1939-01-11
- 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-1-1431
- 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_1939-01-11.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Jan 11 Friday Wednesday At 2 am Laura's cricket suddenly appeared on her mantlepiece, from a crack in the panelling, and ate some bread we gave it with enjoyment. * Laura finished going over David's Furniture book. Dictionary – 15 pages of G. Four more drafts of the Love Beast and one of The Hostage Bicycled to the village for news and russian Russian billiards: Alan & I are much improved (about 1600 a time each). (20 breaks) Laura wrote a letter, after consultation with all of us, to Protocol endorsers: about active friendship.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1583. Jan 12 Thursday
- Title:
- Jan 12 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:
- 1939-01-12
- 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-1-1432
- 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_1939-01-12.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Jan 12 Thursday Lawrence book published in England. Dictionary [.] Poems stabilized. Wrote a long letter to Dunn about The War the Infantry Knew and another to Random House recommending it. Recovered from my various slight aches & pains. The game of the moment is San Francisco – darts in sequence from 1 – to 20. The day's joke was asking Beryl for some glucinum. ( Dict. definition: 'white metal obtained from Beryl.')
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1584. 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- Title:
- 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- 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:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1432
- 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_1939-01-12_01_enc.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves from Dr. Rosaleen Graves 177 Junction Road, N.19. ARChway 1480 13.1.39 Darling Robert You'll be wondering why I haven't thanked you long ago for your “ Poems ” – which were (or was?) my nicest Xmas present – far & away. It's fun finding ancient friends & unknown ones in the same volume. Thank you very much indeed, my dear, for sending it to me. The reason (as you may possibly have guessed) is that your prophecy about Jim's making a kind of reconciliation came true – & in spite of what you say, I'm taking him seriously. Its not that he's recanted or apologized or anything like that – such behaviour would be quite impossible for one of his type – but almost immediately after I'd told him of my visit to the lawyer & his verdict – he propounded a scheme of our working a joint practice in Devon & sharing a house again – so it looks as if the thought of losing family life had shaken him a bit. He still writes to me coldly as “Dear Rosaleen...from Jim ” but is quite friendly on our rare meetings & is really making communal plans at last – which have some sort of financial sanity. I don't know if we shall ever establish a really good personal relationship again – but I'm content with this at present – & even if I get no personal happiness out of a new start – the boys will – as they adore their father. I've had a small present for you for months – a puzzle- picture of Napoleon & his wife & child masquerading as a plant of flax. Its in an old frame & I should think is a contemporary of those times as no-one now would bother about Napoleon's family. It only cost 1/- in a shop where they re-make mattresses – & I thought it might amuse you – but I'll have to wait until I see you as it would probably break in transit. My 2 German refugees have at last gone to Australia, poor things. Its absurd for an elderly business man to be sentimental about a Xmas tree, I know, but I felt very sad when they said “there will be no Xmas trees in Australia –” We were all frozen up at Xmas – car, pipes, & kitchen boiler but had a very good time all the same with a giant Xmas tree, & lots of parcels for the boys. We go to Devon in about 3 weeks. I've sold my London practice (for only £325 after 10 years) to an old fellow-student at Charing Cross Hospital The Kent practice is too small & too scattered & will just have to disintegrate. In Devon I'm to get £350 a year as assistant in the partnership – & when Jim has had a job at Charing Cross Hospital & joins the practice (? in August) we're to get £600 between us. The firm will pay all surgery expenses & a car allowance – & we'll have only 1 lot of domestic overheads – and if it does well we could later buy a share in the partnership, so I'm very pleased about it. The village, Bishopsteignton, is 2 miles from the sea – & overlooks country very like the Barmouth Estuary – with lovely rolling wooded hills & the river Teign – very broad. It will be lovely to get back to village life again, after this dreary suburb – Well – wish me luck! I think I shall get some at last. I shall have to become Rosaleen Cooper, I fear, in such a conservative district & sink into married oblivion – so I'll sign myself for the last time as your most loving sister Rosaleen Graves
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1585. 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- Title:
- 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- 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:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1432
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1939-01-12_01_enc.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves from Dr. Rosaleen Graves 177 Junction Road, N.19. ARChway 1480 13.1.39 Darling Robert You'll be wondering why I haven't thanked you long ago for your “ Poems ” – which were (or was?) my nicest Xmas present – far & away. It's fun finding ancient friends & unknown ones in the same volume. Thank you very much indeed, my dear, for sending it to me. The reason (as you may possibly have guessed) is that your prophecy about Jim's making a kind of reconciliation came true – & in spite of what you say, I'm taking him seriously. Its not that he's recanted or apologized or anything like that – such behaviour would be quite impossible for one of his type – but almost immediately after I'd told him of my visit to the lawyer & his verdict – he propounded a scheme of our working a joint practice in Devon & sharing a house again – so it looks as if the thought of losing family life had shaken him a bit. He still writes to me coldly as “Dear Rosaleen...from Jim ” but is quite friendly on our rare meetings & is really making communal plans at last – which have some sort of financial sanity. I don't know if we shall ever establish a really good personal relationship again – but I'm content with this at present – & even if I get no personal happiness out of a new start – the boys will – as they adore their father. I've had a small present for you for months – a puzzle- picture of Napoleon & his wife & child masquerading as a plant of flax. Its in an old frame & I should think is a contemporary of those times as no-one now would bother about Napoleon's family. It only cost 1/- in a shop where they re-make mattresses – & I thought it might amuse you – but I'll have to wait until I see you as it would probably break in transit. My 2 German refugees have at last gone to Australia, poor things. Its absurd for an elderly business man to be sentimental about a Xmas tree, I know, but I felt very sad when they said “there will be no Xmas trees in Australia –” We were all frozen up at Xmas – car, pipes, & kitchen boiler but had a very good time all the same with a giant Xmas tree, & lots of parcels for the boys. We go to Devon in about 3 weeks. I've sold my London practice (for only £325 after 10 years) to an old fellow-student at Charing Cross Hospital The Kent practice is too small & too scattered & will just have to disintegrate. In Devon I'm to get £350 a year as assistant in the partnership – & when Jim has had a job at Charing Cross Hospital & joins the practice (? in August) we're to get £600 between us. The firm will pay all surgery expenses & a car allowance – & we'll have only 1 lot of domestic overheads – and if it does well we could later buy a share in the partnership, so I'm very pleased about it. The village, Bishopsteignton, is 2 miles from the sea – & overlooks country very like the Barmouth Estuary – with lovely rolling wooded hills & the river Teign – very broad. It will be lovely to get back to village life again, after this dreary suburb – Well – wish me luck! I think I shall get some at last. I shall have to become Rosaleen Cooper, I fear, in such a conservative district & sink into married oblivion – so I'll sign myself for the last time as your most loving sister Rosaleen Graves
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1586. 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- Title:
- 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- 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:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1432
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1939-01-12_01_enc.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves from Dr. Rosaleen Graves 177 Junction Road, N.19. ARChway 1480 13.1.39 Darling Robert You'll be wondering why I haven't thanked you long ago for your “ Poems ” – which were (or was?) my nicest Xmas present – far & away. It's fun finding ancient friends & unknown ones in the same volume. Thank you very much indeed, my dear, for sending it to me. The reason (as you may possibly have guessed) is that your prophecy about Jim's making a kind of reconciliation came true – & in spite of what you say, I'm taking him seriously. Its not that he's recanted or apologized or anything like that – such behaviour would be quite impossible for one of his type – but almost immediately after I'd told him of my visit to the lawyer & his verdict – he propounded a scheme of our working a joint practice in Devon & sharing a house again – so it looks as if the thought of losing family life had shaken him a bit. He still writes to me coldly as “Dear Rosaleen...from Jim ” but is quite friendly on our rare meetings & is really making communal plans at last – which have some sort of financial sanity. I don't know if we shall ever establish a really good personal relationship again – but I'm content with this at present – & even if I get no personal happiness out of a new start – the boys will – as they adore their father. I've had a small present for you for months – a puzzle- picture of Napoleon & his wife & child masquerading as a plant of flax. Its in an old frame & I should think is a contemporary of those times as no-one now would bother about Napoleon's family. It only cost 1/- in a shop where they re-make mattresses – & I thought it might amuse you – but I'll have to wait until I see you as it would probably break in transit. My 2 German refugees have at last gone to Australia, poor things. Its absurd for an elderly business man to be sentimental about a Xmas tree, I know, but I felt very sad when they said “there will be no Xmas trees in Australia –” We were all frozen up at Xmas – car, pipes, & kitchen boiler but had a very good time all the same with a giant Xmas tree, & lots of parcels for the boys. We go to Devon in about 3 weeks. I've sold my London practice (for only £325 after 10 years) to an old fellow-student at Charing Cross Hospital The Kent practice is too small & too scattered & will just have to disintegrate. In Devon I'm to get £350 a year as assistant in the partnership – & when Jim has had a job at Charing Cross Hospital & joins the practice (? in August) we're to get £600 between us. The firm will pay all surgery expenses & a car allowance – & we'll have only 1 lot of domestic overheads – and if it does well we could later buy a share in the partnership, so I'm very pleased about it. The village, Bishopsteignton, is 2 miles from the sea – & overlooks country very like the Barmouth Estuary – with lovely rolling wooded hills & the river Teign – very broad. It will be lovely to get back to village life again, after this dreary suburb – Well – wish me luck! I think I shall get some at last. I shall have to become Rosaleen Cooper, I fear, in such a conservative district & sink into married oblivion – so I'll sign myself for the last time as your most loving sister Rosaleen Graves
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1587. 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- Title:
- 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- 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:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1432
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1939-01-12_01_enc.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves from Dr. Rosaleen Graves 177 Junction Road, N.19. ARChway 1480 13.1.39 Darling Robert You'll be wondering why I haven't thanked you long ago for your “ Poems ” – which were (or was?) my nicest Xmas present – far & away. It's fun finding ancient friends & unknown ones in the same volume. Thank you very much indeed, my dear, for sending it to me. The reason (as you may possibly have guessed) is that your prophecy about Jim's making a kind of reconciliation came true – & in spite of what you say, I'm taking him seriously. Its not that he's recanted or apologized or anything like that – such behaviour would be quite impossible for one of his type – but almost immediately after I'd told him of my visit to the lawyer & his verdict – he propounded a scheme of our working a joint practice in Devon & sharing a house again – so it looks as if the thought of losing family life had shaken him a bit. He still writes to me coldly as “Dear Rosaleen...from Jim ” but is quite friendly on our rare meetings & is really making communal plans at last – which have some sort of financial sanity. I don't know if we shall ever establish a really good personal relationship again – but I'm content with this at present – & even if I get no personal happiness out of a new start – the boys will – as they adore their father. I've had a small present for you for months – a puzzle- picture of Napoleon & his wife & child masquerading as a plant of flax. Its in an old frame & I should think is a contemporary of those times as no-one now would bother about Napoleon's family. It only cost 1/- in a shop where they re-make mattresses – & I thought it might amuse you – but I'll have to wait until I see you as it would probably break in transit. My 2 German refugees have at last gone to Australia, poor things. Its absurd for an elderly business man to be sentimental about a Xmas tree, I know, but I felt very sad when they said “there will be no Xmas trees in Australia –” We were all frozen up at Xmas – car, pipes, & kitchen boiler but had a very good time all the same with a giant Xmas tree, & lots of parcels for the boys. We go to Devon in about 3 weeks. I've sold my London practice (for only £325 after 10 years) to an old fellow-student at Charing Cross Hospital The Kent practice is too small & too scattered & will just have to disintegrate. In Devon I'm to get £350 a year as assistant in the partnership – & when Jim has had a job at Charing Cross Hospital & joins the practice (? in August) we're to get £600 between us. The firm will pay all surgery expenses & a car allowance – & we'll have only 1 lot of domestic overheads – and if it does well we could later buy a share in the partnership, so I'm very pleased about it. The village, Bishopsteignton, is 2 miles from the sea – & overlooks country very like the Barmouth Estuary – with lovely rolling wooded hills & the river Teign – very broad. It will be lovely to get back to village life again, after this dreary suburb – Well – wish me luck! I think I shall get some at last. I shall have to become Rosaleen Cooper, I fear, in such a conservative district & sink into married oblivion – so I'll sign myself for the last time as your most loving sister Rosaleen Graves
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1588. 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- Title:
- 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- 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:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1432
- 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_1939-01-12_01_enc.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves from Dr. Rosaleen Graves 177 Junction Road, N.19. ARChway 1480 13.1.39 Darling Robert You'll be wondering why I haven't thanked you long ago for your “ Poems ” – which were (or was?) my nicest Xmas present – far & away. It's fun finding ancient friends & unknown ones in the same volume. Thank you very much indeed, my dear, for sending it to me. The reason (as you may possibly have guessed) is that your prophecy about Jim's making a kind of reconciliation came true – & in spite of what you say, I'm taking him seriously. Its not that he's recanted or apologized or anything like that – such behaviour would be quite impossible for one of his type – but almost immediately after I'd told him of my visit to the lawyer & his verdict – he propounded a scheme of our working a joint practice in Devon & sharing a house again – so it looks as if the thought of losing family life had shaken him a bit. He still writes to me coldly as “Dear Rosaleen...from Jim ” but is quite friendly on our rare meetings & is really making communal plans at last – which have some sort of financial sanity. I don't know if we shall ever establish a really good personal relationship again – but I'm content with this at present – & even if I get no personal happiness out of a new start – the boys will – as they adore their father. I've had a small present for you for months – a puzzle- picture of Napoleon & his wife & child masquerading as a plant of flax. Its in an old frame & I should think is a contemporary of those times as no-one now would bother about Napoleon's family. It only cost 1/- in a shop where they re-make mattresses – & I thought it might amuse you – but I'll have to wait until I see you as it would probably break in transit. My 2 German refugees have at last gone to Australia, poor things. Its absurd for an elderly business man to be sentimental about a Xmas tree, I know, but I felt very sad when they said “there will be no Xmas trees in Australia –” We were all frozen up at Xmas – car, pipes, & kitchen boiler but had a very good time all the same with a giant Xmas tree, & lots of parcels for the boys. We go to Devon in about 3 weeks. I've sold my London practice (for only £325 after 10 years) to an old fellow-student at Charing Cross Hospital The Kent practice is too small & too scattered & will just have to disintegrate. In Devon I'm to get £350 a year as assistant in the partnership – & when Jim has had a job at Charing Cross Hospital & joins the practice (? in August) we're to get £600 between us. The firm will pay all surgery expenses & a car allowance – & we'll have only 1 lot of domestic overheads – and if it does well we could later buy a share in the partnership, so I'm very pleased about it. The village, Bishopsteignton, is 2 miles from the sea – & overlooks country very like the Barmouth Estuary – with lovely rolling wooded hills & the river Teign – very broad. It will be lovely to get back to village life again, after this dreary suburb – Well – wish me luck! I think I shall get some at last. I shall have to become Rosaleen Cooper, I fear, in such a conservative district & sink into married oblivion – so I'll sign myself for the last time as your most loving sister Rosaleen Graves
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1589. 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- Title:
- 13.1.39 Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves
- 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:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1432
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1939-01-12_01_enc.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – Letter to RG from Ros Graves from Dr. Rosaleen Graves 177 Junction Road, N.19. ARChway 1480 13.1.39 Darling Robert You'll be wondering why I haven't thanked you long ago for your “ Poems ” – which were (or was?) my nicest Xmas present – far & away. It's fun finding ancient friends & unknown ones in the same volume. Thank you very much indeed, my dear, for sending it to me. The reason (as you may possibly have guessed) is that your prophecy about Jim's making a kind of reconciliation came true – & in spite of what you say, I'm taking him seriously. Its not that he's recanted or apologized or anything like that – such behaviour would be quite impossible for one of his type – but almost immediately after I'd told him of my visit to the lawyer & his verdict – he propounded a scheme of our working a joint practice in Devon & sharing a house again – so it looks as if the thought of losing family life had shaken him a bit. He still writes to me coldly as “Dear Rosaleen...from Jim ” but is quite friendly on our rare meetings & is really making communal plans at last – which have some sort of financial sanity. I don't know if we shall ever establish a really good personal relationship again – but I'm content with this at present – & even if I get no personal happiness out of a new start – the boys will – as they adore their father. I've had a small present for you for months – a puzzle- picture of Napoleon & his wife & child masquerading as a plant of flax. Its in an old frame & I should think is a contemporary of those times as no-one now would bother about Napoleon's family. It only cost 1/- in a shop where they re-make mattresses – & I thought it might amuse you – but I'll have to wait until I see you as it would probably break in transit. My 2 German refugees have at last gone to Australia, poor things. Its absurd for an elderly business man to be sentimental about a Xmas tree, I know, but I felt very sad when they said “there will be no Xmas trees in Australia –” We were all frozen up at Xmas – car, pipes, & kitchen boiler but had a very good time all the same with a giant Xmas tree, & lots of parcels for the boys. We go to Devon in about 3 weeks. I've sold my London practice (for only £325 after 10 years) to an old fellow-student at Charing Cross Hospital The Kent practice is too small & too scattered & will just have to disintegrate. In Devon I'm to get £350 a year as assistant in the partnership – & when Jim has had a job at Charing Cross Hospital & joins the practice (? in August) we're to get £600 between us. The firm will pay all surgery expenses & a car allowance – & we'll have only 1 lot of domestic overheads – and if it does well we could later buy a share in the partnership, so I'm very pleased about it. The village, Bishopsteignton, is 2 miles from the sea – & overlooks country very like the Barmouth Estuary – with lovely rolling wooded hills & the river Teign – very broad. It will be lovely to get back to village life again, after this dreary suburb – Well – wish me luck! I think I shall get some at last. I shall have to become Rosaleen Cooper, I fear, in such a conservative district & sink into married oblivion – so I'll sign myself for the last time as your most loving sister Rosaleen Graves
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
1590. Jan 13 Friday
- Title:
- Jan 13 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:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-01-13
- 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-1-1433
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1939-01-13.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Jan 13 Friday Wet, wild weather Dictionary and letters. At night we (Alan, Beryl, Montague, Dorothy & I – not Laura) went by car to a village film Moscow Nights and walked home. (Gipsy music & Annabella: a mess.) First film I have seen since July (In dictionary ) A: Do you believe in gneiss? Self: Gno! Fall of Tortosa
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.