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)
361. Feb 14 Friday.
- Title:
- Feb 14 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:
- 1936-02-14
- 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-1-358
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-14.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 14 Friday. Laura apparently worked until five this morning. I read another ch[apter] of Honor's novel & liked it very much. Letter from one Schwartz asking about T.E. stuff for sale. I replied must get A.W.L's permission, & wrote to A.W.L. Letter to L.H. suggesting our book in 2 parts. Margarita did not return. Went to see Castañer's bancal at Can Renau. Election meetings tonight at Castañer's left, & Medicos on Alcalde 's right. Wrote to Mr Neale of Islip. Laura tactfully discouraged Maria de sa Font Fresc.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
362. Feb 15 Sat.
- Title:
- Feb 15 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:
- 1936-02-15
- 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-1-359
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-15.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 15 Sat. Margarita returned rather drunken looking with a cock & bull story. Laura dismissed her. Maria Murciana working. Read the rest of Honor's novel start. Also reading Eliot & taking notes. McCormacks to lunch, then walk to Hotel where had tea. Hot sun. Election excitement in village: meetings: voting tomorrow. Orange blossom out. Asphodels. Took cuttings from Junyer's garden: snowball tree, roses, honeysuckle, a different geranium etc. Planted them. The Mayor went to Left meeting to see that no libels were uttered. Castañer said, “ Señor Alcalde, how can you think that we would libel this beautiful village with its excellent sanitary system, admirable medical service and progressive council?”
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
363. Feb 16 Election day Sunday.
- Title:
- Feb 16 Election day 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:
- 1936-02-16
- 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-1-360
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-16.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 16 Election day Sunday. Start cure again tomorrow after 4 days to make sure. Nice letter from Ward about Focus . Went over Honor checks with Laura, & end of my Stealing and my note on Enthusiasm and Chapter II of Antigua . Mary wrote promising to attend auction on the 18th. Karl at Soller, which is plastered with hand-designed Socialist posters. Laura also going over Schwarz stuff: asking me questions. Solomon's mouth much better. Walk, solo, to Salerosa to postpone Wednesday fixture – drive to Cala Ratxada. Francisquita came: now eleven years old.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
364. Feb 17 Monday
- Title:
- Feb 17 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:
- 1936-02-17
- 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-1-361
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-17.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 17 Monday No rain; no fires last two days. Another ch[apter] (3) of Antigua gone through. Faber wants to cut out tea-bucket story of O.S.S. I wrote a stinker in reply. And wrote also to R. Checking various typings. To Can Mado where raising of deposito parapet is 3/4 done. Rumours of a Left Wing landslide in election: confirmed at night. Letters to Sam & David. Laura going over Schwarz stuff with me: frequent consultations.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
365. Feb 18 Tuesday.
- Title:
- Feb 18 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:
- 1936-02-18
- 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-1-362
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-18.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 18 Tuesday. Went over A.F.G. with Laura. Karl typed Stealing : checked. L.H. sent original mss of T.E. stuff: replaced it with rest. Wrote to Watt that when A.L. gave permission would ask him to sell it at 10% comm[ission] at reserve £3000, 15% to £4000, 20% £5000. Transcopied [Chapter] 2 of Antigua . Gelat pleased with election: he helped get 60 Left votes which will be rewarded perhaps when Lefts are in power – a Left Governor General for example. Made a double tailor after falling down on one yesterday.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
366. Feb 19 Wednesday
- Title:
- Feb 19 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:
- 1936-02-19
- 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-1-363
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-19.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 19 Wednesday To Palma at 8.30. Engaged a girl (name?) from Andraitx. Lunch with Mrs Wyatt & Mr Marsh. Tea with Str & Schw. who answered questions about his book. Bought begonia bulbs. At Margaritas 1 lilac silk skirt & scarf 50 pesetas, 1 old green silk skirt & jacket 125 [pts.], 1 cotton dress 65 [pts.], 1 linen table runner, 8 linen sheets 35 [pts.] each, 1 silk cape scarf 10 [pts.], length of old curtain stuff for Mesquida 45 [pts]. Liddell Hart wrote. To bed early.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
367. Feb 20 Thursday
- Title:
- Feb 20 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:
- 1936-02-20
- 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-1-364
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-20.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 20 Thursday Answered L.H.: long letter & also sent off typescript (perhaps for last time) registered. Richards sent alternate passage. Faber sent a wire saying tea kettles to be retained. Wrote to both. Went over A.F.G. points with Laura. Apricot blossom showing, & fig leafing. Gordon sent Stamp Auction report: excused him £2 of the £8 he owes me. Thanked. Started Jacob Faithful after finishing Newton Foster. Karl did poster for Carnaval ball. (Trouble in Cort yesterday: violence by police in dispersing a Left crowd: one man skull damaged, another shot through lungs. Machine guns now posted in the Plaza. Very foolish) To the Baile , Laura in her new old cotton [sketch of dress] dress. Played cards in corner of Sala. Later, gramophone at Can Torrent, & danced.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
368. Feb 21 Friday
- Title:
- Feb 21 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:
- 1936-02-21
- 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-1-365
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-21.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 21 Friday Transcopied Ch[apter] 3 of Antigua . The hottest February day within recollection: hot south wind. Laura tidying house to give new girl a good introduction. Dulan sent [Jane] Austen's Sanditon and Persian miniature by Razan of “Doctor medicining a devil case.” £2.2. Took it to Miguel for framing in olive wood. Walk to McCormacks, blouse from Margarita for Laura, to Secretario to ask that Millonario's mother-in-law should stop calling her house Can Torrent (real name Ca Landresa). Pepe's men brought a millstone from Can Jordi. Wrote a letter to D.T. correcting Connolly's inaccuracies about Seizin Books. Peach & apricot blooming: freezias going over. Yellow creeper in flower. Went over Books part of Advertising with Laura. * Today completes a year of diary: which started with Ch[apter] 3 of Antigua .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
369. Feb 22 Sat.
- Title:
- Feb 22 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:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1936-02-22
- 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-1-366
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-22.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 22 Sat. Not so hot. Worked all day on revised draft of Book Advertising without going out at all until the evening. (14 pp). New maid Isabel came. Catalina complains of her appetite & also tells of a novio [,] nephew of Printempo[,] who will honk for her at the gates, to take her for drives. Laura on her feet all day with Rosa & the new maid: but doing Advertising general remarks. A few drops of rain: nada . Finished Jacob Faithful.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
370. Feb 23 Sunday.
- Title:
- Feb 23 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:
- 1936-02-23
- 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-1-367
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-02-23.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Feb 23 Sunday. Went over Advertising again. Cooler today, but still no fires needed. To Sea Bathed, only a few strokes. The first time since October, I think. Wrote to A.G. Miguel brought Razan picture framed in orangewood: also a hand-painted 18th century Prodigal Son in mulberry. (a present from Margarita) Went to Baile for a moment.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.