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)
451. Thursday May 14th.
- Title:
- Thursday May 14th.
- 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:
- 1936-05-14
- 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-1-448
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-05-14.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Thursday May 14th. Finished checking Convalescent Conversations . Hot boiratic day. To sea. Found yellow sea-poppies growing by fishermen's huts. Did not feel like bathing. Begonia flowering. Last of artichokes, first dish of strawberries. Pears starting to leaf: one not even started yet. Insert for Ant : of Sir James Hamm's dreams. On return from village Fabrica made myself consciously aware of noises. No human cries, barking dogs, or cars or bicycles. 3 nightingales, two pondsful of frogs, dozens of cicadas, three flocks of sheep-bells, baa-ing of four sheep, church clock chiming. Nicholas has a bad paw.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
452. Friday May 15th
- Title:
- Friday May 15th
- 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:
- 1936-05-15
- 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-1-449
- 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_1936-05-15.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Friday May 15th Went over Convalescent Conversations with Laura and sent off. Hot clear day. Eyes more rested. Insert for Antigua about Dr. Parmesan. Bill Fuller has got typescript and is attending to it. Laura broke off tooth. Must go to Palma tomorrow.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
453. Saturday. May 16th
- Title:
- Saturday. May 16th
- 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:
- 1936-05-16
- 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-1-450
- 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_1936-05-16.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Saturday. May 16th To Palma : not much to do. Paid debt at Pomar, bought 4 pesetas tray at Gelabert's (behind Cathedral) and six blackberry pattern plates at Casas 7 pesetas Laura worked on Honor's novel & Karl took me for a walk to the Puig at Palma & round. Fuller sent interim report on Ant . Second Trial is all wrong: he will rewrite. Sent other comments. Bought small silver buttons at 2 pesetas each for Laura's Magdalena-wedding dress, & small silver & amethyst buttons for her lilac silk dress at 2 pesetas too. At Alhambra dictated letter to Daily Telegraph about Roman Triumphs . Rained in the night.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
454. Sunday May 17th
- Title:
- Sunday May 17th
- 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:
- 1936-05-17
- 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-1-451
- 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_1936-05-17.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Sunday May 17th Checked Chapter IX of Honor's after Laura had gone over it. Wrote two inserts for Ant made necessary by Fuller's comments (Fake policemen: & Jane's recovering her note from Oliver ) etc) Raining again, off & on, all day. Red Hibiscus flowering. Also small cactus flowering, hollyhock, afric French marigolds. Anemones dying down. Read first forty pp or so of K. Burdekin's book.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
455. Monday May 18 1936
- Title:
- Monday May 18 1936
- 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:
- 1936-05-18
- 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-1-452
- 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_1936-05-18.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Monday May 18 1936 Rained heavily in the night and all morning. Dock strike on, so no mails since Saturday. Corrected and inserted Karl's typed pieces and sent off long letter to Fuller enclosing the First Auction pages . Went over Christmas poem once more, breaking it up into 4-line stanzas. Went over Advice to Story-Tellers now The Devil's Advice to Story-Tellers . Drizzling all afternoon. To Posada, brought back syringia and gave key to Miguel asking him to arrange for Pepe's men to colocar the maderos . Reading Burdekin's book after Laura. News that dock strike settled.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
456. Tuesday May 19th
- Title:
- Tuesday May 19th
- 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:
- 1936-05-19
- 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-1-453
- 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_1936-05-19.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Tuesday May 19th Worked a little more on the two poems & on Historical Particulars . To Posada twice, where the well-beams are in position and men cleaning out shed. Put them onto the job of making paths which I marked out, improving beds. Gelat told us of his reforms: the Doctor, as Inspector of Nuisances, will have to denounce those who throw rubbish in wrong places etc. Gelat will see that rates on liquor consumption are paid punctually as not before. Troy again for Laura. Reading S. Ferrier's Marriage.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
457. Wednesday, May 20th
- Title:
- Wednesday, May 20th
- 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:
- 1936-05-20
- 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-1-454
- 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_1936-05-20.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Wednesday, May 20th * Hot day. Summer clothes at last. No letters for days of any interest. Finished Historical Particulars. Twice to Posada helping with paths, telling how to window the casita there, planting scabious scabiosa rooting out dead pomegranate, supervising cleaning out of escusado . School of the nuns shut today. Help Went over Burdekin checks with Laura. Transplanted laurels from their tubs. One will live, one may. Black painted Pressroom light, and top-of-stair hinges. For the first time for months have a momentarily clear work-table. Nicholas's hurt paw a little better after 5 or 6 days. Protest by village to Inspector against the maestra . Inspector choose chose Can fusimain site for school. Gelat reads us draft of his speech.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
458. Thursday May 21st Ascension Day
- Title:
- Thursday May 21st Ascension 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:
- Authors, English and Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1936-05-21
- 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-1-455
- 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_1936-05-21.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Thursday May 21st Ascension Day To Posada where planted two hydrangeas, mint, a begonia, a carnation, candytuft, no-me-verras-sin-sol . and a geranium. * Lunch at Costa D'Or with: Gelat as Mayor, the six councillors, the Medora, Juan, Castaner, Mancebo, Laura, Karl & myself. Arroz sucio , langosta , carne , mantecado , fruta , cigars. Coffee outside & informal speeches, seated, by Castaner, Gelat, Mancebo, Secretario , Laura. Gelat's brother-in-law Jaime, insisted that, though councillors, they weren't politicos , & there was a general desire expressed to espongar animosities & work together. Gelat soft-pedalled water and maestra as topics. Open reference made to Laura's intention to become a Spaniard. Secretario almost tearfully protested neutrality. Afterwards drinks all together in the Sala. Went for a walk in the rain to the sea, to walk off lunch. No supper. Read A History of Education.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
459. Friday May 22nd
- Title:
- Friday May 22nd
- 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:
- 1936-05-22
- 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-1-456
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-05-22.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Friday May 22nd Heavy, cold day. Taking a holiday from work. The Bartolomé who has got into bad odour with the village because of his French wife's attack on his father & sister working on a wall at the end of the garden where the deposito will be. To Posada, where the netting is being put round the garden. Ordered lock for casita door from Miguel. Bougainvillea at the Can Torrent casita flowering. Posada again after climbing up the Church hill from the Torrent. In the evening in 20 minutes wrote the first draft of a poem “ It has happened Well .”
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
460. Saturday May 23rd
- Title:
- Saturday May 23rd
- 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:
- 1936-05-23
- 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-1-457
- 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_1936-05-23.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Saturday May 23rd Went with Laura through libel-passages in A.F.G. : sent it off. Fuller sent trial chapter (second trial) of Antigua . Worked on second third & fourth drafts of It has happened well . To Posada where the three windows are in the casita & the lock on and the netting fixed. Worked at night on second trial Chapter, with long insertion of M.Y.'s crossexamination.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.