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)
261. Nov 9th Saturday.
- Title:
- Nov 9th 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:
- 1935-11-09
- 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-1-261
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-09.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 9th Saturday. Letter to Richards asking questions. Finished Chapter 20, which ends book. Proofs of Mistake Somewhere . Started working on them. Started reading Hester out loud in turn. James played on guitar.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
262. Nov 10 Sunday.
- Title:
- Nov 10 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:
- 1935-11-10
- 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-1-262
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-10.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 10 Sunday. Rain. Put insertions in Old Soldiers . More proofs of Mistake Somewhere , which James is also reading. Music, & dancing, but records old. Income tax refund came. Schwarz came to supper: Strenge could not because of dog, because of Francisca's toothache. Unpleasant day, because of re-reading “Richard's Account.” Bought champagne: did not drink it.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
263. Nov 11 Monday
- Title:
- Nov 11 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:
- 1935-11-11
- 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-1-263
- 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_1935-11-11.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 11 Monday To Palma by camión , (Karl & I). It hadn't rained there: rained here all day. Buying household things: also 2 handkerchiefs for Laura & new (5) records: 2 Duke Ellington, 1 Louis Armstrong, 1 Jack Hilton & Niña de la Puebla: flamenco. Juzgado : interpreter who could not talk English, because the Juez considered it part of his dignity not to conduct conversations directly with me in Spanish. Questioned me about road. Answered same as Laura, but added that Gelat had undertaken not to build a house opposite at Se Semente de Ca'n Carindo, (insisted it was Cementerio ) to preserve our tranquilidad . Saw Czechoslovakian translator in Lena's Bar: explained lay-out to her. Laura worried when I came home — Nicholas has been very ill, Solomon had been sick, too & Alice had messed the passage & a kitten Catalina's bed. (Nicholas, whiskied, improved) Fire out. Juan got more gas — found gas in old drum not yet exhausted. Finished Mistake Somewhere : lots of mistakes. Laura writing a poem.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
264. Nov 12 Tuesday
- Title:
- Nov 12 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:
- 1935-11-12
- 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-1-264
- 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_1935-11-12.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 12 Tuesday Registered passports with the Valldemossa cabo at the Alcaldia . Then to Soller, lunch at the Costa Brava, waited about in café while Gelat saw Señor de Sa Pedrissa's brother: Señor de P is withdrawing from the junta. Another arreglo had been offered that Gelat should work his turbines how he liked but not canalyze water. Letter from Honor about having got cottage etc. Gordon “off” for 6 months. Worked late on Lars Porsena , Laura on a poem. Talk about physical contacts as index of character. Gelat's story about his ugly black mule that once for a bet he trotted from Palma to Deya (27 kilometres) in 1 hr 20 minutes. 50,000 pesetas in bets on it: no work at Valldemossa or Deya that day. Mule did not sweat a hair Worked late on Lars P.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
265. Nov 13 Wednesday
- Title:
- Nov 13 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:
- 1935-11-13
- 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-1-265
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-13.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 13 Wednesday Went over last chapter but two of Old Soldier Sahib Did a number of pages of Lars Porsena . Much rain in the night. Laura still hung up by poem, unable to think of proofs. Wrote to Amy Graves & to Liddell Hart, explaining things. These last days have only had fires in the evening. Finished Lars Porsena , working late. Laura near end of poem. After dinner reading of [P.G.] Wodehouse: “The Small Bachelor.”
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
266. Nov 14 Thursday. [1935]
- Title:
- Nov 14 Thursday. [1935]
- 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:
- 1935-11-14
- 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-1-266
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-14.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 14 Thursday. [1935] Wedding of Catalina Martina's son to comadre's daughter in Clot. Letter from Liddell Hart, saying that Arnie had agreed to book suggested. Working over proofs of Mistake Somewhere with Laura: got it off. Sore throat & chill. Went over last chapter of but one of Old Soldier Sahib , typed by Karl. Laura still on poem. Present of jug from Inca, from Gelat & turrons : & my silver necklace, mended, for Laura.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
267. Nov 15 Friday.
- Title:
- Nov 15 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:
- 1935-11-15
- 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-1-267
- 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_1935-11-15.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 15 Friday. Went over last chapter of Old Soldier Sahib & gave Karl Lars Porsena to type. Casita getting a cement roof & floor. Had to go to Soller to fetch proofs of Moon's No Fool from customs. Lift from Hotel manager who identified me. In café an English woman & man: she talking about importance of children specializing — 'like Shirley Temple you know! If you can sing & dance you can always earn a living.' Of me — I was wearing green baize waistcoat with silver buttons: “typical German.” Proofs of Moon's No Fool . Laura & Karl James went to Costa D'Or to order dinner for tomorrow. Dahlias over.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
268. Nov 16 Sat.
- Title:
- Nov 16 Sat.
- 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:
- 1935-11-16
- 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-1-268
- 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_1935-11-16.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 16 Sat. Moon's No Fool : also helping to try tidy Laura's accumulated untidied-away things. Laura finished poem “ How Love Becomes Words ” at last — about 200 lines. Then hurriedly went over proofs with me. Catal Margarita went for her monthly holiday this morning. Sent proofs off. To Hotel Costa D'Or for supper: Gelat, Medora, Laura, Karl, James, me, Anna & Juan Vives. A lot of champagne: then 7 1/2 (Gelat winning) & then dancing when they had gone till 12 2 o'clock. Then kippers & tea (Sherry & brandy after champagne)
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
269. Nov 17, Sunday.
- Title:
- Nov 17, 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:
- 1935-11-17
- 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-1-269
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-17.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 17, Sunday. Up late: mostly housework. Looked over T.E. Lawrence stuff generally. Very fine weather. Retidying Laura's disconsolate room. In afternoon to Lluchalcari: saw Joän Junyer's pictures, green girl, red-horse, the triple sequence of women & two children, etc. Bought Montuiri devils etc. Bought Pollensa hobby horse picture. Price not fixed. Valldemossa medico 's English-speaking nephew came back with us to supper. Gelat told us aside that he was a vividor ; he offered to teach us the parado . Trying to find a word for Laura's poems so bath delayed till 12 midnight.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
270. Nov 18, Monday
- Title:
- Nov 18, Monday
- Description:
- Page from Robert Graves diary manuscript. The diary includes 1,546 pages with 117 enclosures: letters, clippings, photographs post cards, notes, games.
- Subject:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-11-18
- 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-1-270
- 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_1935-11-18.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 18, Monday To Liddell Hart about T.E. book a long letter. Also J. Cape. Also printers about Thomas Matthews. Read Laura's letter. Sorted T.E. stuff ready to start. In afternoon walk with James over stepping stones — Son Bauza, back by Clot. Went over Karl's typescript of 8000 words of Lars Porsena . Laura, another session with her poem: & went over James's. Curious dream encounter with stranger. Margarita returned
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.