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)
181. Aug 21st Wednesday.
- Title:
- Aug 21st 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:
- 1935-08-21
- 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-1-181
- 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_1935-08-21.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 21st Wednesday. Finished [Chapter] IX Almost Forgotten Times , started [Chapter] X[,] at this all day. Laura not well, went to bed in afternoon for rest of day. Karl went to Palma to see Sabater again & see about paints. New supply of oil: also charcoal: last of the plums. To sea. Gelat had seen a clerk who assured him that no denuncio been made at the Military Headquarters. The theory is that the charlatan made enquiries there to give himself importance. Very heavy weather. Karl brought me a new reading-lamp: ordinary chromium sort: the other was always blowing over & getting damaged.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
182. Aug 22. Thursday.
- Title:
- Aug 22. 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:
- 1935-08-22
- 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-1-182
- 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_1935-08-22.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 22. Thursday. First melons from garden. Finished [Chapter] X of Almost Forgotten Times To village & helped the Fábrica family shell almonds. To sea. Tried to write rhymes for end of L's anthology poem: did a few Rest of Richards came from Mary. Went to Costa D'or (L & K & I) Beer & beefsteak & potatoes. French people about talking to English people who knew no French: never heard that before. Pasted 2nd copy of Richards for Karl to transcopy tomorrow. Paid Mary ?2 & a letter for the job. Very hot again.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
183. Aug 23 Friday
- Title:
- Aug 23 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:
- 1935-08-23
- 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-1-183
- 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_1935-08-23.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 23 Friday Finished rhymes for Letter from Majorca . Started going over Epilogue proof with Laura. Also did a little on Poets . Sea. Karl transcopied Richards . To village at night to hear radio about Abyssinia. Heavy weather. First orange from Can Torrent, from the tree s by the Torrent. Michael Roberts finally gave in about including James Reeves .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
184. Aug 24 Saturday. (San Bartolomé).
- Title:
- Aug 24 Saturday. (San Bartolomé).
- 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:
- 1935-08-24
- 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-1-184
- 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_1935-08-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 24 Saturday. (San Bartolomé). Rosa came. Sent off sample Richards to Harrison Smith, with letter. Went over Epilogue proofs with Laura. Finished Schwarz Aphorisms. Heavy day. Letter from Mother, Julie; for Laura from Len, not wanting to go on with Fantasia , which she spent the afternoon answering. Medora Madora told me of Gelat getting 30 signatures to say that the Fuente is not public, including Morales a lawyer who collected the Molí dues, and Mateu of Cas Pintat ; & old one–eye will also testify. All the signatories have paid or collected dues. The other side Doctor, Juan of the Molí, young Estanco have not been in a position to pay: & old red-eye Bartolomé of Son Bauzá & the Torpe are lying. Dance at Canellun. Close night. Japanese lanterns round deposito . Pineapple ice from Costa D'or, beer & mineral waters & lemonade in ice, cakes. Mrs Bernardo came & two daughters & Marcos & Pancho, & Juan their cousin and also Leonora their cousin from Marseilles with father & mother (B's sister) & Gelat & Medora Madora & Magdalena & Francisquito, & two Andreu boys, & Schwarz & Strenge . I danced with all Laura & the 4 other girls & we ended with the broom-dance (the music suddenly stopping & partners changing) organized by Leonora's father.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
185. Aug 25 Sunday
- Title:
- Aug 25 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:
- 1935-08-25
- 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-1-185
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-25.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 25 Sunday Tired. It rained quite hard in the morning. I struggled through [Chapter] XI of Almost Forgotten Times Laura rested in afternoon (in the morning she looked over the early chapters of Richards ) To village for morning & afternoon post. (Carl with nose-bleeding) Keatinged Solomon. In evening planted a bed of zinnia seedlings. Wrote to Honor. Laura & Karl once more vexatiously going over Sabater's messes with A Natural Need . When finished took it to Gelat at 10 p.m. A dance in progress at the Sala. Gelat told me about signatures & that Gerardo Tomas would privately speak to the judge about the case, & that the Señor of the Pedrissa was not standing by the opposition any more. A German arrested at Soller for having a wireless transmitter. Laura went over Richards points with me.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
186. Aug 26. Monday.
- Title:
- Aug 26. 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:
- 1935-08-26
- 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-1-186
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-26.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 26. Monday. Sent off Richards' typescript 5 chapters (to p 113) asking him to forward to Morley. Worked all day on [Chapter] XII of Almost Forgotten Times Sea. Laura tired in bed all afternoon: I made steak & onions for supper. News that Barrera is to retire, because of some internal lesion, at end of season.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
187. Aug 27 Tuesday.
- Title:
- Aug 27 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:
- 1935-08-27
- 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-1-187
- 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_1935-08-27.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 27 Tuesday. Wire from Kilham Roberts wanting to use on only the end part of Letter from Majorca . We replied no, use small print if necessary but no cutting. Gas came: 100 pesetas deposit necessary but the old primus was getting dangerous. Gelat brought a man to graft vines. He did it in somewith tiny buds cut from a stock & tied into a cut below the earth then bound round & earthed over. Gelat discussed possibility of buying the upper bancal in a few days. Did [Chapter] XIV of Almost Forgotten Times working till 1 p.m. (Laura at Troy again)
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
188. Aug 28 Wednesday.
- Title:
- Aug 28 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:
- 1935-08-28
- 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-1-188
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-08-28.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 28 Wednesday. A page or two of Poets . Then did [Chapter] XV of Almost Forgotten Times Sea. A spray of flowering asparagus. There was about a sackfull of shelled almonds from the Posada: i.e. about 25 peseta worth. The algarrobas are now all down, waiting for rain to swell them for market. Hibiscus about to flower. Almost no olives this year & the ones there are will make bad oil, Gelat says. Incident of the signing of signatures for the Sociedad :
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
189. Aug 29 Thursday
- Title:
- Aug 29 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:
- 1935-08-29
- 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-1-189
- 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_1935-08-29.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 29 Thursday Money from Laura letter, just clearing expenses. Gelat came to make things right about the signing. Talked of possibility of extending Canellun beyond the grotto & above the viejo camino : possible, if Bernardo takes over part of the land that is for sale from Ca l'Abat. Did [Chapter XVI] of Almost Forgotten Times Heavy day, went to the Piñets to the top: a few olives there, after all. Gelat burned down some carritx grass & set fire to an olive tree: he didn't think it would burn but it was one of the twisted sort & had a central flue and there was no earth so no chance of quenching the flames. A number of seedling pines which Gelat says he will let grow train up for the looks. The top olive trees only useful for firewood. It made a nice torch at night. Laura drank several whiskeys (difficulty with work) & then we went to Strenge & Schwarz who gave us punch (hot water, muscatel, cognac & lemon peel) & then we went to the two cafés & the Fonda & the Fábrica, drinking and spreading alegria .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
190. Aug 30. Friday.
- Title:
- Aug 30. 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:
- 1935-08-30
- 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-1-190
- 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_1935-08-30.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Aug 30. Friday. Almost Forgotten Times [Chapter] XVII. Then to sea, abstractedly bathed, thinking about Lawrence material. On return wrote to Liddell Hart suggesting joint book of materia historica: but haven't sent it off yet — wait for Laura 's ideas. Laura having struggle again with Troy — couldn't find Tauric scene for Iphigencia in map. Letter from Harrison Smith agreeing to Richards terms if book up to sample. Picked remaining blackberries red and black, red won't ripen now. Cut off sprays & picked over in house helped in the end by Isabel, Josepha & their mother, who had been crying at talk of war that would take her sons. Laura reassured her. Gelat had been to Aulis — I mean Alcudia — to fetch beans: tried for a lobster but could not — but got Inca biscuits. Karl doing Orchestra sign. Boiled up blackberries & seived sieved them with the rolling- seive sieve which I found out how to clamp steady. A good many seeds got in, but not to signify.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.