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)
271. Nov 19 Tuesday.
- Title:
- Nov 19 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:
- 1935-11-19
- 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-1-271
- 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_1935-11-19.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 19 Tuesday. Did first few pages of T.E. Also all but last three pages of Lars Porsena typescript. Joän Junyer came. Price for hobby horses 750[pts.] & for Montuiri devils which also we bought 400 pesetas (he asked 500 & 300 ). Laura finally finally finished poem & wrote 8 line Wishing poem in bed in morning. Silly letter from Christine & dishonest one from Richard, asking to hold up book & enlarge it. Laura wired: commercially impossible postpone publication objections unfounded dont worry love writing. & then wrote — which wasted her afternoon & James's: who also wrote to Honor. Present of 4 thrush from Juan Vives. Proceso position still unclear. Strong wind.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
272. Nov 20 Wednesday.
- Title:
- Nov 20 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:
- 1935-11-20
- 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-1-272
- 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_1935-11-20.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 20 Wednesday. My wound ached: suggesting wind rain which came. T.E. again — up to page 16. James writing novel, Laura going over Schools & wis adding to Wishing more Dear poem. To Lluchalcari: paid dinner — 108 pesetas. Mcthe Cormacks wrote they are coming. Laura & James going over New Verse address list, with many jokes. Late, Laura went over programme of writings & publishings with me. She dreamed of Solomon & a Lion Man in garden.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
273. Nov 21 Thursday Epilogue Publication Date
- Title:
- Nov 21 Thursday Epilogue Publication Date
- 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:
- 1935-11-21
- 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-1-273
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-21.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 21 Thursday Epilogue Publication Date Finished reading Small Bachelor.. T.E. again; letters from 1921 - 1922. Letter from Arnie Lawrence about tracing books. Would I write for Lies About Lawrence . Said I would. Gelat visited us in morning — further chapter about water. The Señor of Sa Pedrissa has quarrelled with the Soller judge, to whom he had promised to an arreglo on condition that no demanda was made on him. Gelat told us of a long interview with Juan of Moli: explained to whom him that medico would lose 1500 p[ts.] a year which he was getting, not entitled to. Apparently the Chief of Doctors' Association has told the D r not to meddle with foreigners. (This comes from Juzgado colonel-judge, who is president of Fomento de Turismo ). Amy Graves sent Luck of [the] Bodkins. Revised Focus . Luck of [the] Bodkins came.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
274. Nov 22 Friday.
- Title:
- Nov 22 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:
- 1935-11-22
- 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-1-274
- 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_1935-11-22.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 22 Friday. To Palma: Dentist (20 pesetas) Then bought at Casas butter dish, bottle, & James some door-lock-frames. At Pomar's a pendant in blue enamel, square, for Laura 37 pesetas. & at Einstein's she found a silver-gilt Trojan looking necklace for 70 pesetas. Buttons for James's sisters in Ghetto (enamel ones at 3 pesetas & frame). At dentist began a Christmas poem. Laura a lipstick — first for years she has found that suited. Letter to Sunday Times protesting against Hutchinson's advertising mention of the Claudius books. Sat up late talking about children's poems, & whether. (Tried to buy James a ring, but he resisted)
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
275. Nov 23 Saturday
- Title:
- Nov 23 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:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1935-11-23
- 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-1-275
- 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_1935-11-23.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 23 Saturday Juan Vives & Ana went off. Constable urge postponement of list. Agreed by cable. Richards sent answers to last questions, & a photograph. Went over typing of T.E. — p 22 reached. James is to have Can Gelat , like Honor with Posada. Hot wind today. Going over Richards' answers. Finished Christmas poem. Am putting on too much weight: must take more exercise Laura says.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
276. Nov 24 Sunday.
- Title:
- Nov 24 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:
- 1935-11-24
- 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-1-276
- 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_1935-11-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 24 Sunday. Did a great deal more T.E. — up to his entering the R.A.F. in 1925. (Letter from Jonathan, suggesting terms 20% on book, £300 advance — to be split between Liddell Hart & me.) Walk with Karl along coast. Finished the Old Soldier Sahib stuff, for Karl to type. James had a headache which did not yield until about 11. He had done his Xmas poem up to 2.30 last night. Strenge & Schwarz to tea at Canellun. Gave Gelat 1000 p[ts]. more for cottage. Laura writing her Xmas poem all day too. My gold watch going funny: probably old trouble — I magnetize the mainspring.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
277. Nov 25 Monday Santa Catalina
- Title:
- Nov 25 Monday Santa Catalina
- 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:
- 1935-11-25
- 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-1-277
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-25.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 25 Monday Santa Catalina Deck-quoits with Karl. More T.E. stuff. Ran down the Torrent & up by Son Buiz Bujosa. Slight revision to Christmas poem. To Fábrica in afternoon: tea with Medora. ( Laura & I only) Laura decided to abandon her diary until next year — 1 1/2 months out of date. Wet. Men doing Posada juntas . Wire to Honor about ano testamentary anomaly: Laura half-fainted at Can Torrent gate (Laura went over Lars Porsena with me until 3 in the morning)
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
278. Nov 26 Tuesday
- Title:
- Nov 26 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:
- 1935-11-26
- 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-1-278
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-26.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 26 Tuesday Old Soldier Sahib book now complete: except for revisions by Laura & by Richards. Pasted in last additions. To Soller: saw Dr. Rovira who prescribed treatment for “ cuts ”. Went over Laura 's Lars Porsena suggestions. Tea at Fábrica. Talk late. Laura going through Blake in search of poems. Bedside corner-table, present from Laura, and half-oval table in passage upstairs.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
279. Nov 27 Wednesday
- Title:
- Nov 27 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:
- 1935-11-27
- 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-1-279
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-27.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 27 Wednesday Lars Porsena , out of way again. To village, protested to Almudaina corresponsal about papers arriving a day late: they promised to write. James & Karl did Focusses : Laura started hers. T.E. stuff as far as beginning of typescript. Have had a recurrent sore (evening) throat for the last few days. Laura read out her Blake findings. We James went through Browning. Began a brassero brasero . Laura suggests Karl going in for humorous writing. With Gelat to inspect holes dug for almond trees.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
280. Nov 28 Thursday.
- Title:
- Nov 28 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:
- 1935-11-28
- 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-1-280
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-11-28.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Nov 28 Thursday. First day of course: felt rather sick in consequence. Preparing T.E. marginal comments for typing. Wire from Liddellhart that he is putting matter into Watt's hands. Wrote to him. Laura & Karl planning wrapper designs for the novels. Laura doing her Focus . Wrote to Amy Graves , Jenny, Clarissa etc.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.