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)
301. Dec 17th Tuesday.
- Title:
- Dec 17th 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:
- 1935-12-17
- 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-1-299
- 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_1935-12-17.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 17th Tuesday. Catalina Martina helping clear the house: Gelat brought oven & glasses. Juan Ferrer doing plaster jobs. Karl recovered: fine sunny day. Laura had a look at the garden for the first time for weeks. Working over T.E. stuff still. Laura at her poem – should be thinking of Spring List : but doesn't feel up to it. The poem is Friendship on Visit . My room cleaned. Refused Hogarth Press resuscitation of Contemporary Techniques & Future of Poetry . We went to Sala: Medora Madora has mad killed the pig & turned it into things. sobrasadas & things.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
302. Dec 18th Wednesday
- Title:
- Dec 18th 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:
- 1935-12-18
- 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-1-300
- 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_1935-12-18.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 18th Wednesday Five Six olive trees have now been removed. Pomegranate tries again. A blue plum planted, and two pears. (Five olive trees transplanted) Gelat supervising. Did Spring announcements: “ A Trojan Ending ”,“ Antigua, 1d Puce ”, “ Almost Forgotten Germany ”, Poets & Schools in Subjects of Knowledge Series , A Neighbourhood of Poems , and Epilogue II . Ward Hutchinson photos came: ordered prints of six each (10/- each). Dusted main book cupboard. Porch half tiled now. Cartload of firewood came. Maria Edgeworth's novels came (9 vols £1.18) and Coleridge's Friend. Schwarz & Strenge: pfefferkuchen . Laura read & passed my set poem, now called Prosperity of Poets . Never wrote a poem so easily.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
303. Dec 19th Thursday
- Title:
- Dec 19th 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:
- 1935-12-19
- 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-1-301
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-12-19.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 19th Thursday Last day of cure: things improved but not yet clear. — T.E. — Catalina still here (cleaning out Laura 's workroom now) Wrote to Honor & to the children, for Christmas. Also Margaret Reed. Karl typed last of Letters: now has only explanatory insertions to type. Paid Gelat 2000 pesetas to settle a/c.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
304. Dec 20th Friday.
- Title:
- Dec 20th 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:
- 1935-12-20
- 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-1-302
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-12-20.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 20th Friday. To Palma at 10.30. Bought presents for Catalina (ours) Margarita, Margarita modista , Rosa, Anita & Magdalena, Juan, Madora, Gelat, Francisco, Antonia of the Café, Maria de Sa Font Fresc, Maria Fidavera, Francisquita (Messiana) etc. For ourselves silver mass-bell (300 years old) for table. Laura red morocoo slippers, amber cigarette holder, 4 gold buttons for brocade dress. Strenge , 4711 soap & Schwarz a punch-bowl. Schwarz gave Laura a Ferdinand VI gold duro on chain & me a French religious art calendar. Focus promised for Monday. Home at 10 o'clock. O.S.S off. Worked till 3 on Old Soldier Sahib which I sent off to America, with corrections for Richards who raised practically no objection to changes. Long letter to Liddell Hart with 17 references in “margin”. His questionnaire & postscript to his other book arrived. Honor can't come for 6 months at least. Nice letter from Lucie with Victorian ribbon for Laura. Laura writing to Hodge.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
305. Dec 21 Saturday
- Title:
- Dec 21 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:
- 1935-12-21
- 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-1-303
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-12-21.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 21 Saturday Reading Liddell Hart and writing about Postscript: suggested not making it so philosophical, but letting T.E. witness against himself as much as possible Tidying house (Laura busy in dispensa ). Porch over cellar door done, other also finished. Olive tree removed from Can Torrent and cut up. Painted curtain bar in hall. Pear trees transplanted. Warm wind, no brazier necessary. Fixed stars over electric light entries.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
306. Dec 22. Sunday.
- Title:
- Dec 22. 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:
- 1935-12-22
- 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-1-304
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-12-22.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 22. Sunday. Cleared up T.E. document situation, sorting out letters for Liddell Hart to be sent on to Arnie. Went over Lies about Lawrence typescript, etc. Laura not at all well (appendicitis pains) & tired by work in kitchen. She is going over the Poets stuff. Walked with Karl to Lluchalcari: he is depressed by Honor not coming. Warm winds, cloud on mountain. Filed in Worter: Wrote a rhyme about Dogs . Focus ? Laura rearranged Troy with Karl. Fixed American cloth over fugons in kitchen.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
307. Dec 23 Monday.
- Title:
- Dec 23 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:
- 1935-12-23
- 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-1-305
- 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_1935-12-23.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 23 Monday. Handerchiefs from Margarite also from Margaret (+ braces). Letter from Pujol incorrectly worded: had to tick him off. From Liddell Hart saying that Cape was adamant, but would make ex gratia payment to cover Watt & pay subscribed royalties & also after 3 months. Inclined to accept. Miguel senior fixed spindles on fireplace, sawed kneespace for Laura under table, removed main-door netting-doors. Rosa made a brown dress which Laura has to give away because of ill-fit. Jobs round house all day. Sent L.H. T.E.-association letters and telegram saying “accept, grateful your concurrence.” Hand kerchiefs from M. Westgate Masons putting up porchada over the picas .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
308. Dec 24 Tuesday.
- Title:
- Dec 24 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:
- 1935-12-24
- 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-1-306
- 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_1935-12-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 24 Tuesday. Getting house tidy. McCormacs McCormacks came: at Costa Brava: asked to rent Can Torrent – but wouldn't. Presents from Honor – box for Karl, knife for me, purse for Laura. Also brought plum pudding, & journey-cold-pheasant. Later Hodge came, 20, young, blonde, good head. We played the new records (Spanish) that I bought & the [Louis] Armstong one from Karl and James. Miguel brought John's picture framed with wood cut from knee-space. Warm & very windy. Karl finished typing T.E. I inserted insertions. Now ready for Laura. Letter from James about Honor dreading letters because of fear of us pressing her to come to Posada. Hodge very decent & sensible: said about Claudius had read it while ill – liked it, lot of work: I said: written it to make money – said “yes he thought it read like that” I liked that — first time I have heard it.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
309. Dec 25 Wednesday. Christmas Day
- Title:
- Dec 25 Wednesday. Christmas Day
- 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:
- 1935-12-25
- 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-1-307
- 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_1935-12-25.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 25 Wednesday. Christmas Day Juan mended pipe, told us of Anita's forthcoming baby (Sept?) Did upstairs, to help the girls. Catalina has been given Laura 's unsuccessful brown dress: which is succcessful for her. Hodge stayed overnight at Can Torrent – went for a walk with Karl to the Cala. James sent Burns, Beatrix Potter “Jeremy Fisher” & Collier's Musical Tourney ravels and satisfactory personal account of Liddell Hart Quarles' Enchiridion came. McCormacks came: so we were 6 with Karl & Hodge. We had turkey roasted in the oven, aubergine-shape, potatoes roast, mushrooms, plum pudding, Marfil, crackers, turron avellana custard, champagne, coffee. All very good. McCormacks gave Karl & me cigarettes & Laura a breadknife, & all of us apples & gramophone records. They brought, ordered by us, camphor, Laura 's foot-muff, 12 prs of woollen socks for me, Rolls razor blades, 12 knifes knives with walnut handles (6 & 6), also from Maisie jet & silver brooch for me, woollen bed-jacket for Laura, silk hankerchiefs for Karl. Afterwards to Fabrica to give presents. At Can Pep Moso Antonia's sister dying of injections by local doctor. Laura wearing brocade jacket, with green and red brocaded skirt.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
310. Dec 26 Thursday
- Title:
- Dec 26 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:
- 1935-12-26
- 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-1-308
- 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_1935-12-26.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Dec 26 Thursday Presents to Maria Fidavera & Francisquita: turron & coca in exchange. News of Basil's suicide. Wrote to Margaret, Marguerite, Luci Tom & Julie, Honor, Maisie. Girls taken to Soller in car – Catalina to her first cinema. We ate at the Fonda. Wrote postscript to Old Soldier Sahib preface about machine-gun-ization of Royal Welch Fusiliers sent to Harrison Smith & to Morley, with other business instructions. Mancebo grafted some almonds.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.