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)
481. June 12th Friday
- Title:
- June 12th 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:
- 1936-06-12
- 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-1-477
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-12.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 12th Friday Hot sun, no haze. Writing on Politics & Poetry for Epilogue . Hart wrote enclosing a Cape letter proposing a limited edition Wrote to L.H. agreeing. Put carding machine in Mesquida fireplace. Row with Catalina (nearly dismissed) for insolence in not listening to Laura speaking. Earth Can Mado sand being put on new paths. To Hillgarth sending O.S.S. Cleaned out dispensa , putting bottles below. Politics & Poetry in evening. To David, asking him to arrange his own boat.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
482. June 13th Saturday
- Title:
- June 13th 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:
- 1936-06-13
- 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-1-478
- 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_1936-06-13.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 13th Saturday Took out tulips, rearranged pots in patio . Bartolome continuing path in vermouth bed. Decided on a bench at narrow part of garden by carnations. Visit from Maria Fidevera and Juana, with eggs and cherries. Politics and Poetry again Bathed: it was not too cold, only rather. Zinnias came in afternoon, planted by the media bota Laura I and Karl to Posada, hung up pictures etc, took notes of missing fittings. L approved garden and casita doings: and bench.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
483. June 14th Sunday
- Title:
- June 14th 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:
- 1936-06-14
- 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-1-479
- 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_1936-06-14.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 14th Sunday Read a stack of Left Review s and took notes for Poetry & Communism . Wrote it in afternoon. Planted some hanging geraniums at the Posada. It rained all the afternoon. 'Es Salt ' active but no 'Cueva Negra '. Wrote Poetry and Communism all day and up to 10 [o']clock at night. Alice brought her kitten up.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
484. June 15th Monday.
- Title:
- June 15th 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:
- 1936-06-15
- 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-1-480
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-15.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 15th Monday. Absurd heavy drenching rain. Did some more work on Poetry and Politics . Checked Laura's Drama notes. Letter from H.S. announcing that instead of recovering $1000 on income tax I must refund $1186 surtax! A. Hodge is coming. Laura went over Antigua first 40 pages in an hour. Laura to Alice who turned up her nose at bread: “When I was a cat I always ate bread!” Only drizzle in afternoon (went to Can Gelat where vine has been tied up) but heavy rain in evening. Orange balls at their best, and tamarisk. Antigua to page 66 at night: rather sticky part.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
485. June 16 Tuesday.
- Title:
- June 16 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:
- 1936-06-16
- 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-1-481
- 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_1936-06-16.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 16 Tuesday. Absurd drenching rain all night. In morning Alice who has had a war with Solomon for months brought her kitten, drowned, into his kennel as if either to reproach him for being the cause of its having to be kept away from the house, or (more likely) to blame to make us think its death was due to his violence. He got greatly excited over the corpse but did not maul it. Alice is pregnant again, too. The other side's lawyer has put in a sick-certificate at the trial today, to tide over the Boy trouble. Unexpected £30 from Albatross and ditto ex gratia from Cape for L.&.A 2/- edition. Wrote to Cape : about limited edition.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
486. June 17 Wednesday.
- Title:
- June 17 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:
- 1936-06-17
- 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-1-482
- 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_1936-06-17.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 17 Wednesday. A little sun, but clouded over again immediately. Men working again, removing top olive from drive and replanting it below, Bartolome making frame of cement to put a cover over the pit, & continuing shrubbery path. Laura gave me job of going on with Schools by myself. Last night worked on Chinese, this morning on Indian school systems. In evening Laura went over more Antigua with me, in afternoon we went over what I had written about Politics & Poetry and Gelat & Medora came & former explained danger Nuns are in of getting their school convent closed as well as school, because they have canvassed against the maestra who is now turning nasty, though previously prepared to exchange. At Bañalbufar the people turned out to prevent inspector serving notice on nuns, & inspector to avoid bloodshed(Guardia Civiles were ready to fire) drove off.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
487. June 18, Thursday
- Title:
- June 18, 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:
- 1936-06-18
- 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-1-483
- 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_1936-06-18.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 18, Thursday Hot, cloudy. To Palma , with Karl, by camion . Changed £60 with Short (2000 [pesetas.] to Gelat) at 'black' rate of 37.50 [pesetas.]. Notarized my U.S. income [tax] claim & sent off. postcard to David, advising him & Sam to come on the 15th by the Scharnhorst (Southampton 11th). Letter Bought net skirt for Laura 15 pesetas and at M.M's, L various cushion cover stuffs, also small amethyst and pearl pendant 12 pesetas; at Casas keyhole for Posada, toccador tocador for knocker, & old tile 1 peseta in all, nothing else of interest. On return, letter from Fuller returning missing chapter and from Richards about Curzon & the Lancers. To Posada where fixed keyhole & toccador tocador .
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
488. June 19 Friday.
- Title:
- June 19 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:
- 1936-06-19
- 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-1-484
- 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_1936-06-19.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 19 Friday. Working on 2nd trial and interlocutory injunction in Antigua , on India in Schools , with Laura on Politics & Poetry ; went to Margarita, no trousers yet ready. Bartolome mending plaster at Canellun round doors, paths in shrubbery finished, pu making holes for putting bannisters on the steps in front of front door. Amador brought Can Mado earth to Posada. Sebastian Aquel made seed-bed with Emmi's seeds. In the evening a punch-bowl at Str & Sch. Laughed like anything over nothing. To bed at 10.30. Found number of seedling lavender bushes and Garden daisy first out. Laura writing about politics.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
489. June 20 Saturday.
- Title:
- June 20 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:
- 1936-06-20
- 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-1-485
- 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_1936-06-20.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 20 Saturday. Rained in night: hot wind. Working on Schools , India & Japan, and checking p & cross-copying 3 sections of Politics to send off today. Watt unable to get an offer from Watt Rosenbach , trying Wells. Told him to accept Maggs', rather than nothing by delaying too long. Ordered bl brown suit and two grey flannels from Allen, to be brought by David: cost £14.7. in all (suit £11.9, with discount) To Posada where paths are laid but casita not yet floored. Hot wind had taken half the leaves off the almond trees. Bartolome dressing stones on Luna land for building the wall with the inscribed st. Moli stone in. Gelat reports that a meeting for an arreglo at 9 am summoned by the opposition lawyer & G's lawyer (Luis Alemany & Barcelo) was not attended owing to differences. The hearing is now on July 1st.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
490. June 21 Sunday
- Title:
- June 21 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:
- 1936-06-21
- 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-1-486
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-21.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 21 Sunday Laura went over Ant with me: to page 94. Hot, clear day. Hydrangea flowering. Did Jewish schools & read up Moslem . Ice cream at Sala . Yesterday Sebastian Aquel brought ivy and maidenhair for the grotto. Two nectarines ripe. (Only two).
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.