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)
461. Sunday. May 24th
- Title:
- Sunday. May 24th
- 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:
- 1936-05-24
- 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-1-458
- 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_1936-05-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Sunday. May 24th Hotter. Working on Antigua trial chapter. Letter from L.H. enclosing copy of one to Arnie, from which it appears that the committee of Trustees (Daunay, Viscount Carlow at least) were not consulted. Wrote approving to L.H. And to Fuller. Maria Font Fresc brought a present of loquat jam: very good.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
462. M'day May 25th
- Title:
- M'day May 25th
- 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:
- 1936-05-25
- 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-1-459
- 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_1936-05-25.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- M'day May 25th Faintly drizzling all day. Mathias the mason ill, so in the afternoon Pepe & I went up to Posada & showed Juan Ferrer how to carry on. Pepé brought cañs forasteras which we planted as a screen to the Can Torrent table-to-be. Wrote to John, sent him a copy of O.S.S. ; and to Richards about sales. New maid arrived, Francisca; looks strong. Wrote to David about holidays. Sent Trial chapter to Fuller. Korda has declared he will do the Claudius film in August in magnificent style.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
463. Tuesday May 26
- Title:
- Tuesday May 26
- 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:
- 1936-05-26
- 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-1-460
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-05-26.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Tuesday May 26 Heavy soaking rain. Wrote post-trial conversation between Jane & Babraham. With Gelat to Posada where decided to do casita floor with Can Mado gravel rammed flat. To Can Mado with Gelat to see Sebastian Aquel's garden: he came to Canellun later & fetched plants. Fuller wrote: mentioned 10 guineas as a fee: sent 15. Laura busy at her Troy daily stint. Mary Phillips wrote at last. Schwarz & Strenge returned with presents of chocolate, scarf, & an agate paper knife which broke in my pocket as we said goodbye. Str distressed by the terrier Pippa's nervousness. Bartolomé (of France) building ball wall at end of garden. Made a Tailor at cards Read a silly detective novel: Sudden Death.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
464. Wednesday. May 27th
- Title:
- Wednesday. May 27th
- 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:
- 1936-05-27
- 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-1-461
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-05-27.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Wednesday. May 27th Wrote insertion for Ant . incorporating the writ. Letter & photo from Jenny: sent her £15 for evening dress etc. To Cooke for Antigua post mark for stamp. At Posada lavatory seat and smell-escape fixed. In Canellun garden worked at garden bed to left of drive as you go up: put media-botas , planted hibiscus, and aloes, planned out path & wall. Worked out Antigua cover with Karl. Reading Adamson's Short History of Education for Schools .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
465. Thursday May 28th
- Title:
- Thursday May 28th
- 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:
- 1936-05-28
- 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-1-462
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-05-28.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Thursday May 28th Hot day. Planted begonias in tub and changed other plants. In afternoon Laura, Karl & I planned paths on left of the garden as you come in. To Posada twice to supervise building of bench by Juan Ferrer & Margarita's stepson. Str & Schw in Palma having Pippa injected. Francisca seems a good worker. Richards (sweetly) sent me £2.10. his share of a film job, advising Warner Brothers about a troopship film. Wrote 'Lancashire Man' insertion to Ant . Reading Educational History. Gelat had a junta of shop-keepers to insure that proper contribucion was paid.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
466. Friday May 29
- Title:
- Friday May 29
- 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:
- 1936-05-29
- 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-1-463
- 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_1936-05-29.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Friday May 29 Went over 'Lancashire man insert'. To Posada where bench nearly done. Work started on paths etc at Canellun. American contract for Lawrence book came. signed & returned it. Wrote to Watt. Wrote to Richards thanking for £2.10. Checked 60 pages of Epilogue page proofs.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
467. Saturday. May 30
- Title:
- Saturday. May 30
- 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:
- 1936-05-30
- 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-1-464
- 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_1936-05-30.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Saturday. May 30 To Palma by camion with Karl; not Laura. Bought 100 pesetas. worth of plants — bamboos, roses, papirus papyrus , petunias, and a number of others I don't know the English names of. Planted them in evening with Bartolome & old Sebastian & Karl & Laura. In Palma bought Isabella vases of white with silver lustre vine pattern, 10 pesetas. balustrades for puente , 15 pesetas, (Casas) ship plate in brown faience, 8 pesetas, old English tray 4 pesetas, mediaeval mortar with carved heads 10 pesetas, (Gelabert) woollen tom-tit for Laura's empty cage, took broken green agate pieces to Pomar to be made into silver brooches. Hart wrote asking whether I would agree to a compromise of truncated trade-edition of book, complete one later; wrote saying preferred limited complete edition, more dignified. Put in most of the plants, Bartolome, & Sebn helping.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
468. Whitsunday Sunday. May 31
- Title:
- Whitsunday Sunday. May 31
- 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:
- 1936-05-31
- 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-1-465
- 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_1936-05-31.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Whitsunday Sunday. May 31 Hot day. Read more Epilogue page proofs. Sent telegram to L.H. preferring limited edition. Posada finished, except for putting down gravel. I planted a rose there by the casita door. The bench is very comfortable. Fuller will accept dedication: sent me draft of interlocutory injunction which I incorporated. In evening busy planting remainder of plants, till moonlight.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
469. June 1, Monday.
- Title:
- June 1, 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:
- 1936-06-01
- 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-1-466
- 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_1936-06-01.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 1, Monday. Wrote to Fuller, about auctioneer being joined as defendant etc. Various small Antigua points. Helped Bartolome and Antonio the Murcian to put large stone table in position. They had already fixed the one in the grotto. The centres joining the stones to the pillars are made of Portland cement mixed with water paint — red, green, blue. Wrote to A.G. Sebastian Aquel came to talk over garden problems. Remaining tables fixed. Deposito down below tap level. Wrote three drafts of "To Disown the Once Written" .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
470. June 2 Tuesday
- Title:
- June 2 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:
- 1936-06-02
- 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-1-467
- 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_1936-06-02.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 2 Tuesday Olive tree nearest the flower-bed being cut down by the two Sebastians, Gelat supervising. Bartolomé and Amador fetched stones from Can Mado (pulling down an old oven there). Another version of poem: To Disown the Records . * Epilogue went off finally. Wrote to Observer asking for Hillgarth's Davy Jones to review; and to Hillgarth. To David discouraging Nazi enthusiasm. To Richards enclosing excellent press-cutting of O.S.S. from U.S.A. (“slow but steady sale”) To Honor, in answer. Laura came with me to village late: for first time for a fortnight or so. Old Sch. says that the stone mortar or holy water stamp is too cheap both for the real thing and for a forgery at 10 pesetas If genuine West Gothic it should be very valuable indeed.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.