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)
151. July 22 Monday St Magdalena
- Title:
- July 22 Monday St Magdalena
- 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:
- 1935-07-22
- 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-1-151
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-07-22.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 22 Monday St Magdalena Felt rotten all morning. Went to Posada with L's notes for Honor. Took more notes from her. Early afternoon started for sea but had to beat S. for going after a sheep so came back. Worked on Poets . Laura did contracts for Each in Turn with Mary, & letters. Sent letter to Mark Twain society (filed in Plutarch's Lives under Alcibides). Worked on Poets until post-time. Fetched Laura for Magdalena's fiesta, in car, to Fábrica. There telegram about John Ewen's death. We composed telegram. Plum ice successful, because of a wet cloth on top. Some sent to Joan. Gelat finds that he did have the 4000[pts], but can't make out how it got spent. Offer of 300p[ts]. for boat. Worked late at Poets . Laura up until 4 on Gordon's life.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
152. July 23 Tuesday.
- Title:
- July 23 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:
- 1935-07-23
- 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-1-152
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-07-23.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 23 Tuesday. Frank Richards all morning after sending wire to Maisie (25 pesetas). Sea in afternoon because headache. Bathed Salamo More Richards. Tea at Can Caballo. Schw. gave me late 17th century Valencia bowl, unflawed, gilt lustre, peacock & carnation pattern. Ungezogen letter from Michael Roberts, wrongly addressed to me: + introduct[ion] . Laura went through it with me & answered it. Birthday letters from A.G. & Margaret Russell. Gave Schw. Lawrence et les Arabes . Coffee Ice. Went over Honor's Life, second part, & finished. Letter to A.G. Laura wrote to Ackerley too. Posted M.R. letter at 2.30 A.M. Gelat has infected finger.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
153. July 24 Wednesday My Birthday
- Title:
- July 24 Wednesday My Birthday
- 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:
- 1935-07-24
- 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-1-153
- 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_1935-07-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 24 Wednesday My Birthday Slept till 11.30. Took map of Troy to Francisco to frame. Honor & Mary gave me a brandy bottle of brandy; Carl cigarettes (buttons previously) My present from Laura was the morey chair. Gordon wrote birthday letter, expecting to come again soon “for Spanish living, come what may financially.” Wrote a little on Poets , but too tired. Bathed with Carl & Mary. Paid Castor up, including 31 pesetas for photographs. 4000 [pts] is not traceable so we owe Gelat owes that much less. Paid him 2000 [pts] on account. Carmen's boy born: gave her 5 pesetas for a poco de fiesta as from one birthday to another. Supper at Posada which Isabel got. Played 7 1/2 in chimney corner, improved now by the cushions (Catalina sewed) and the sun box. (Laura went over Poets with Honor) Afterwards we talked a lot to Julian, who stared. L. wearing her white jacket with gold embroid., her gold skirt, pearls, Ibizan earrings (I my white silk shirt, trousers & waistcoat). To bed at 12.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
154. July 25 San Jaime Thursday
- Title:
- July 25 San Jaime 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:
- 1935-07-25
- 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-1-154
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-07-25.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 25 San Jaime Thursday Honor & Mary's last day. All morning L going over remainder of Poets scheme with me. Afternoon did more Richards so that Mary took off up to p 92 to type. Reassuring letter from Maisie who is taking things well. Checked James's proofs, first part. Check Honor, Mary & Carl to supper – Laura had worked out Honor's novel with her. Evening checked last part of Gordon's novel.. Feel much better at night, very nervous during day. (Hot weather.) Laura planned changes for Mesquida. Laura & I spoke to Mary about coming back if poss. in autumn. She said she would if she could. To bed at 12.30. Richards answers to questions of chapter I came. Wrote to him.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
155. July 26 Friday St Anita
- Title:
- July 26 Friday St Anita
- 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:
- 1935-07-26
- 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-1-155
- 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_1935-07-26.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 26 Friday St Anita Honor & Mary went today. To Palma at 10. Schw came, too, in camión . Bought hermit ring for Mary, fan & bracelet for Honor, belt for Joan with 3 little pigs, bone-ring with bell for Julian, presents for John & Lucy (box with zigzags and silver church plaques) & for James (straw cigarette box with mirror)& red stuff silk with stripes for Lucy – also turquoise earrings (95p[ts]), for Maisie: purse for Gordon. Went over things with Sabater. Thelen hopes to finish Sch. job by Aug 18th. Food at Parisien. (Laura had bad stomach & couldn't eat much) I had whets, lobster, beefsteak, beer, fruit salad. Chance of selling boat for 500[pts]. Gelat happy now he finds that as owner of a spring he can make it run where he likes. Anita's fiesta (sent her ensaimada ) Said goodbye to the chaps at about 6. Telegram from H.S., “Postpone”. Laura gave Carl cigarette-lighter. Borrowed Balearic History from Short. To village after supper to eat Anita's cakes. Gelat showed us the law about water in a book. Beddoes came.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
156. July 27 Saturday
- Title:
- July 27 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:
- 1935-07-27
- 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-1-156
- 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_1935-07-27.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 27 Saturday Got up at 11.30. Rosa came. Worked at inserts of Richards' first chapter. Laura had a talk with Carl about deportment. She slept until 5 (I working on Richards ). I went to Fábrica Margarita to order my grey americano , & to Posada to open windows (shutting shutters) turn out lights, take into away perishables. Then worked at Gordon's Life, after L. went over it. Carl brought melon, & we had coffee ice. Laura's stomach bad. I went to Fábrica & recovered her parasol & fan from camión . More work on Gordon . Bed at 12. Gelat expects no result of law suit for two months. Concordia ceiling finished: tiles green & yellow, being laid diagonally.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
157. July 28 Sunday.
- Title:
- July 28 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:
- 1935-07-28
- 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-1-157
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-07-28.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 28 Sunday. Finished Richards first chapter inserts. Wrote to Margaret Russell (£5); Korda about L & A sequences if he needed them. To A.L. thanking for letter & saying perhaps more money to come from France, & would not contribute to quinquagint. To Frank Morley asking for contract. Various small bills. To sea. Very hot. All afternoon then on Gordon. [Heinrich] Schliemann's Troy came, and 7 Pillars . Karl typed as far in Schw'sAlmost Forgotten Places as the translation had gone before it was taken to Thelen. Finished Gordon's Life. Went over typescript of Schw. It makes 22 pp so far – will reach about 200. To village at 9.15 after supper of chops, tomatoes & beetroot (Karl & me). Saw Gelat: ordered jars for jam, sugar etc.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
158. July 29th Monday.
- Title:
- July 29th 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-07-29
- 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-1-158
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-07-29.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 29th Monday. All morning at Richards getting the Boxer Rising story right from his two accounts & the encyclopedia. In afternoon working over first part of Honor's Life after Laura, then sea, then with Honor again Laura over Molly's [L]ife. Gave Richards [manuscript] to Carl to type. Made lemonade ice. Picked several pounds of blackberries with Carl for jam. (Jars came.) Very hot weather. In evening Laura wore her John Ewen dress with the Honor sleeves & the Robert mother of pearl buttons & buckle. A new type of emboquillado with filter mouthpiece. Laura composing blurb for By Each In Turn. Did Gordon's [L]ife all night with Laura. Walked along road discussing title: finally L. thought of A Mistake Somewhere by 3 Private People . Laura's dress torn coming up grotto. Worked till about 2. Hot wind. Jokes about seeing e to e in spelling of unbudgeable. Mortgage lifted from Canellun after 3 years.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
159. July 30 Tuesday
- Title:
- July 30 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:
- 1935-07-30
- 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-1-159
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-07-30.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 30 Tuesday Pasted in Richards insertions, then did Honor's [L]ife, a part. Then in afternoon did blurbs, together, of A Mistake Somewhere , & Moon's No Fool . Sea. finished Fearfully hot on beach. Solomon wouldn't come up because I was wearing bathing dress until top of cliff to save sweaty shirts, instead of changing. More Honor . Gelat came & told us about suspect who was here a few weeks ago. Sidney behind? Mad enough. Today G. signed warrant about the water-interdict. Case next week. Thinks he'll lose, & gain on appeal after 6 or 8 months. Accounts: Said we'd give him 2000[pts] more as fuente investment. Mortgage is now finished: Canellun itself again. Finished Honor's life, got all in order: sent off. Cooked up blackberries, got out juice. Stupid letter from Harold to Laura. Worked on Richards to 3.30 Laura writing to Harold & Constable all that time. Wrote to Mary about Richards etc.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
160. July 31 Wednesday.
- Title:
- July 31 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:
- 1935-07-31
- 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-1-160
- 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_1935-07-31.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 31 Wednesday. Up at 7.30. Wedding of Francisca the Modista and Juan Gelat's nephew. At new café: nice atmosphere. Bride wore hat: innovation. Magdalena joking. Visit to changed Viña Vieja. In morning more work on Richards . Girls cooked up blackberries with sugar only leaving me to pour out. 5 lb pots & about 16 tiny pots. Success. ex-mustard. Sea: left wristwatch there. Went over Epilogue blurb with Laura & made lemonade-ice. Nice letter from Michael Roberts. Laura cabled would he could come if he liked. Put paper in jelly-jars. Went over James Reeves blurb with Laura. Catalina came (owed 24p[ts].) & had ice, also Isabel, her mother, Josepha & Catalina's boy who also got 1 pes. Then worked with Laura at Epilogue blurb & she did Progress of Stories blurb & I went over it, and then there was a statement to make about Seizin Press Publishing in the Constable list & we nearly fell asleep working out a point, & I went over the proofs of James Reeves' poems & we nearly fell asleep working out a point in one of the blurbs & then it was 3.30 a.m. again.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.