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)
161. August 1 Thursday.
- Title:
- August 1 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:
- 1935-08-01
- 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-1-161
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-01.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- August 1 Thursday. Tomatoes in great quantities now and aubergines just starting, also pimientos. Not up until 12. Then Richards and getting that point with Laura. Amador came with damsons & green plums & sugar. Post in Deyá by Ferrocarril camión at 11, another post out at 5. This saves a day. In afternoon checking proofs of James Reeves again with Laura while girls startedstoning the plums for the plum jam. Made the damson — 11 lbs & sealed up. A little Richards. Boiled up some old marmalade which had gone sugary. Proofs with Laura until about 3 o'clock. Then posted them. Beautiful storm out to sea: no thunder
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
162. August 2 Friday.
- Title:
- August 2 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:
- 1935-08-02
- 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-1-162
- 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_1935-08-02.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- August 2 Friday. Up at 10: made jam. Used Fábrica cauldron which 'caught' all the time. Transferred to our own enamel preserving pan & stainless steel saucepan. Made 8 2lb pots & 6 1lb. Richards. Fixed wire on Schw. peacock bowl & hung up in entrada ; also stag bowl, exchanged with Troy for rabbit picture. Laura having first rest for weeks. At sea which was roughish: cool wind: various things on shore, including dragon — for blasted heath tree & nest and a lot of husks of palm etc. Found wristwatch lost since day before yesterday at foot of cala–rock where I hadhad a tussle with Solomon who again would not come up rock because I was not dressed.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
163. Aug 3rd Saturday.
- Title:
- Aug 3rd 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:
- 1935-08-03
- 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-1-163
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-03.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 3rd Saturday. The day that the Mesquida table was moved, end up to the Mesquida picture: Laura & I sitting opposite each other. Other changes, which sent a plate over to Can Torrent & fixed the inlaid table in the screen corner. Richards . No sea today. Paid Amador for cigarettes. Sala tiled now, except for dado affair Planted dahlias with Sebastian. Made blackberry & apple jelly: in the middle Laura wanted to read out her contingent will instructions to executors. We worked on these until 2 a.m. In the middle I tried to squeeze the juice through a cloth but it went wrong & I made a lot of mess, & waste. I got supper, made ice, cleared away. Laura kept Karl employed for several hours. Josefa told me that it was the 9th of the month — from Laura's the Señora's calendar. Laura's diary nearly a month out of reckoning.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
164. Aug 4 Sunday
- Title:
- Aug 4 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:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-08-04
- 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-1-164
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-04.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 4 Sunday Cooller Cooler . Got up very late, shortly before lunch. At 2 o'clock decided to go to a bull–fight. Went. Karl, Juan, Laura & I. Laura in yellow with net gloves & amethyst ring. Matadors: Jaime Noain, PepeGallardo, Rodrigo FernandoDominguez. Procession of Misses in cars around the arena & 3 bands. Noain's first bull very weak[;] let off banderillos . Gallardo's very cowardly wouldn't face horses: took a long time to kill: second remainder better but the matadors though hardworking & going through all the motions didn't appeal. Noain got ears. Gallardo goodish in second bull but took four shots at the discabello descabello . Dominguez second bull — in half-dark — earned claps for a picador , among the few that were given. Dominguez got a cogida in right through the fleshy part ofleg and elbow (we[?] think) (lying on his face while the bull attacked him) but insisted on continuing & killed at first attempt: then carried to hospital. Got ears.Biscuit glacé at Alhambra 4 coñacs & beefstake beefsteak . Gelat gave us information confirming our ideas about S.St. On the way back from Alhambra near Gordiola saw the procession of (15th?) Century horsemen with candles in cupped sticks resting on their stirrups, red-coated guards & an illuminated Catalina coach with Bengal flares & four horses pulling children in Mallorquin costume, and singing Republican anthem.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
165. July 8 Monday August 5th Monday
- Title:
- July 8 Monday August 5th 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:
- 1935-08-05
- 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-1-165
- 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_1935-08-05.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- July 8 Monday August 5th Monday Wrote to Bank, asking them to for Laura paid Isabel's mother's fare on condition that same stays. Dream about strange hall of a house in 1900-ish London: over the door a faded print called “In the Gay Old Days. The Duke of Westminster celebrates his Coming of Age in the Company of 10,000 Ladies of the Town.” The D. of W, a long-faced fair-haired young man in evening dress, elbows on knees staring greedily forward: in the middle of an auditorium full of girls with doll faces and wasp-waists. Girls boiled up the blackberry & apple jelly which I poured out & sealed: it made 12 small pots, very stiff. Algarrobas falling. Richards all morning. Laura has bad stomach. Afternoon, sea: buried stinking corpse of a kid on foreshore,in company with the Staff-Colonel staying at Son Bauza, who was grateful on account of his wife & children with him. Laura going over Fantasia & writing a letter to Constable about business names. We went through Documents. New arrangement made for files. I wrote to Eliot asking him to approve Wills of both & return; to Pinker asking Hogarth Press's profit-sharing scheme, what percentage; to Westminster enclosing our joint-account application. For second time running got salt-water into the ice. Finished going over Richards manuscript so far as he sent it. Gelat came & told us about enquiries he made about the spy, whom the Police know nothing about, may be a Private Cop. Also about Pedro & his shameless brother in law & political moves now taken to settle water dispute.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
166. Aug 6 Tuesday. Gelat's Birthday.
- Title:
- Aug 6 Tuesday. Gelat's 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-08-06
- 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-1-166
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-06.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 6 Tuesday. Gelat's Birthday. Checked typing of Richards all morning. In afternoon sea with Karl: found a few pebbles. (Sea warmer than air, cloudy day) Started a poem: no use I think. To village with Laura & Carl (first time for a long time) & Schwarz to whom gave pot of blackberry & apple jelly. Child lost an eye, from playing ballon San Juan . Third child this year to lose an eye (11 years, 11 years, 5 years — detonator, stone thrown, ball on elastic.) Laura visited Carmen. I cross–copied Fantasia , 2 copies (3 hours). One copy to John [Aldridge] .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
167. Aug 7 Wednesday.
- Title:
- Aug 7 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-08-07
- 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-1-167
- 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_1935-08-07.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 7 Wednesday. First greenfigs, from Gelat 's Vinyet: very hot, tiring weather. Went over my checks of first chapter of Cressida's Troy with Laura: at Troy. Mostly points about Priam's & Aenaeas's ancestry, which Laura finally stabilized. Then checked second chapter for Laura who wrote to Len; & Karl's transcription of Fantasia . At 12 o'clock Laura went over points of Richards' first chapter with me. Bed at 2. First almonds. Sebastian sprays the drive every day.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
168. Aug 8 Thursday.
- Title:
- Aug 8 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-08-08
- 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-1-168
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-08.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 8 Thursday. Check Transcribed checks in Richards . Laura dictated letters (to Karl)— Korda, Sabater. I went to sea (about 15 Catalans). Cloudy & hot. Then to village for morning post: half James' proofs from Sabater, which I checked. Remainder by afternoon post. Went over my checks in Troy with Laura discussing, chiefly, Menelaus's spare spear, and what became of it. Laura finally stuck it butt–spiked into the ground. Pots came from Palma, & sugar: but no plums yet. Hot wind Laura got off two chapters of Troy to Constable with a letter. Laura & I went over James's proof, finishing it at 1 p.m. all except a point that only James can supply. Laura decided on a rest now for a few days.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
169. Aug 9th Friday
- Title:
- Aug 9th 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:
- 1935-08-09
- 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-1-169
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-09.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 9th Friday Put up fixture for Carl's mosquito net. Hair cut. Richards' answers to questions on Chs 2,3 & 4 came. Worked up one passage. A. Lawrence sent letter acknowledging cheque from hospital at Bovingdon Bovington Camp. Margaret Russell had not after all left: I wrote telling her it was all right about the money. Wrote to Richards. Took down coat of arms for fear of misinterpretation. Worked until 2 incorporating Richards' answers in text, ready for Carl to type. Laura wrote to James, about Humour Music etc, & about Schools , which she then read to me; also rewrote James's blurb. Sebastian upset that tomatoes are unbottled & going to waste. Thermometer is at 36[°] Cent in the shade.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
170. Aug 10th Saturday
- Title:
- Aug 10th 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:
- 1935-08-10
- 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-1-170
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-10.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 10th Saturday Sala completed today; only windows not in yet. Carl to Palma about passport: which was all right. Got letters in village: Interested one from Harrison Smith — which I answered, proposing terms for Richards $150 ([$]100 + [$]50) advance, 12 1/2[%] to 3000, then 15%: me to do an introduction, payments to be (2/3rd) made to him & also (1/3) direct to me, book to be in Harrison Smith 's hands by December 1. And from Honor. Gordon with Molly again! Mrs Glover gave Honor permission to have another chap. And Gordon at St Peter's Square! Rosa came; fitting of Laura's grand dress with the bows. Got Catalina to come at 2 & do plums greengages which came in great quantity. She came & in 1 hour she & her little boy & I did 12 kilos which I then boiled up into jam — 12 2[–lb] jars & 12 1lb 6 1[–lb] jars & a 1lb pot; & she and the girls did 21 bottles of tomatoes with the powders. Sent 6 various jars to Fábrica. To Soller in the new car: Laura & I, with Gelat & Carl. We had supper at the Marina & it was very peaceful Gelat told us about Maria Fidevera & the doctor, & latter's danger at Hieronymo's hands. Today he bought a radio on approval. We decided to buy a gas–plant. Laura wrote to Honor & I wrote a longish letter to Honor too.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.