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)
491. June 22 Monday.
- Title:
- June 22 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:
- 1936-06-22
- 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-1-487
- 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_1936-06-22.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 22 Monday. Worked on Moslem Schools . Hair cut, ordered San Juan cake, and ventilator for Can Torrent. To Fabrica to hear what news of last nights night's meeting about water (Don Pedro and Secretario brought offer to Gelat). Apparently a surrender, but asked for too much water. Gelat scaled down six hours as a condition for signing. The Doctor was not at the meeting which appointed these emissaries and adopted these terms. Bartolomé building bench under the algarrobé algarrobo . Girls schools in the East . Went over P&Politics with Laura, but it snagged, so did to page 113 in Antigua . Sebastian Aquel brought more plants (from Salerosa) aloes & cactus & chrysanthemums.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
492. June 23 Tuesday
- Title:
- June 23 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:
- 1936-06-23
- 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-1-488
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-23.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 23 Tuesday Very hot day. but clear Women's education in the East . Gelat came with a long report. The Education committee referred the maestra 's complaint to the mayoralty, Gelat called a meeting of parents, one of whom (was prompted to) brought up question of her nationality – This was put in writing: if she consents to exchange she won't be turned out. If she doesn't she will. The water thing is practically settled. Gelat has conditioned that a certain pipe be put at the fuente source to go down to the claimants. This leaves half the water to him, and he will divert the stream to the deposito which will always remain full: & he has hours free from 4 in the morning to 9 every day. The road business shelved, apparently to save the staff-colonel's face. The school may be built for nothing by applying for 5 units (3 schoolrooms, library, doctor's consulting room) at 12,000 pesetas grant each. Miguel putting up the crosspieces of the rose-arbour including a rounded piece that came from the Moli: Bartolome tiling the bench. Finished Poetry & Politics with Laura: now about 45 typed pages. In evening to Plaza to the Comedia at 9. Back at 1.30. First play, classical about dead soldier's return – rascally mayor – soldier struck dumb. Other about unemployment in Mallorca, comic.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
493. Enclosure – San Juan Fiesta programme
- Title:
- Enclosure – San Juan Fiesta programme
- 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:
- 1936-06-24
- 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-1-489
- 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_1936-06-24_01_enc.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – San Juan Fiesta programme [No transcription available for this item.]
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
494. June 24th San Juan
- Title:
- June 24th San Juan
- 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:
- 1936-06-24
- 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-1-489
- 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_1936-06-24.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 24th San Juan Very hot day, but clear. Small jobs on Antigua . Catalina went early to Fabrica to help with the lunch. Lunch at Fabrica. Present — Laura, me, Karl, Gelat, Madora, Anita, Juan, Magdalena, Francisquita. Don Pedro & Doña Catalina, Anita's Margarita & Francisca, her mother, her father and brother Antonio. Twelve at lunch, with six in kitchen including Catalina who made a toffee fruit-stand with candied cherries on top. Entremeses , arroz brut , with lobsters, saffron etc, chicken ragout, lobster mayonnaise salad, champagne, cake, fruit, coffee[,] cigars. Serenade by the Establiements band. Returned to Canellun at 4 – stopped at Can Caballo for coffee – then to Plaza too late for boleros , , , back to supper on sopas & chops at the Fabrica. Exhausted on return, though the weather was very good. The greatest joke was all Gelat [']s political enemies coming to congratulate him on his name day at the exquisito lunch. He replied to 'Muchos años ' — 'en su compania '.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
495. June 25th Thursday
- Title:
- June 25th 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:
- 1936-06-25
- 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-1-490
- 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_1936-06-25.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 25th Thursday Hot. To Can Gelat with Gelat & Pepe Salas: gave instructions for anti-damp-proofing, for kitchen & bathroom windows & shutters, ventilation in dispensa , putting lavatory right, shutters in workroom. Went over politics typing and sent off to Kemp, also letter to Constable about A.F.G. wrapper. Bartolomé making bench design (after Laura) in pink red portland cement. Bathed with Karl: first time this year warm enough to swim to diving point. To Cooke about postmarks. Gardenia flowered. A pear tree suddenly died — as a nectarine or almond did a month ago. Schools in the evening.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
496. June 26th Friday.
- Title:
- June 26th 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:
- 1936-06-26
- 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-1-491
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-26.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 26th Friday. Bench finished. Bartolomé putting ventilator in spare-bedroom at Can Torrent,& sealing up smell in patio . Mesquida whitewashed. Helped Seb. Aquel to paint the rose arbour with creosote. Schools . 26 sacks of tobacco captured by coast guards near Lluchalcari. The two coast guardss will get about 6000pesetas. each — apart from what they may have to pay to the denouncer, possibly someone with a small stake in the tobacco. Carl black-painted balustrade between Can Torrent and Canellun. Slept with only a sheet, for first time. L. decided definitely to get rid of Catalina.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
497. June 27 Saturday.
- Title:
- June 27 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:
- 1936-06-27
- 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-1-492
- 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_1936-06-27.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 27 Saturday. Boira on mountains. Working. Rosa sewing, Catalina, Francisca, Maria Murciana, Catalina Martina whitewashing etc, in garden 2 Sebastians, (Aquel putting the cañas on the arbour) & Bartolomé collecting stone for work on wall. Arbour completed. Jenny wrote saying that 'Follow the Sun' comes off today & she wants to come here for a holiday. Wrote, welcoming her. Work on Schools . (early mediaeval). Busy replacing Mesquida pictures & furniture. Row: Maria Murciana & Catalina Martina insulted by something of Francisca's reported by the other Catalina. Laura smoothed it out, gave notice to Catalina. Catalina wouldn't go to bed, so Francisca for fear, came upstairs to sleep. Alarms in the night.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
498. Enclosure – The Naval Officer
- Title:
- Enclosure – The Naval Officer
- 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:
- 1936-06-28
- 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-1-493
- 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_1936-06-28_01_enc.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Enclosure – The Naval Officer [No transcription available for this document.]
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
499. June 28 Sunday.
- Title:
- June 28 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:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985 and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Graves, Robert, 1895-1985
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1936-06-28
- 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-1-493
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-28.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- June 28 Sunday. Got up at 5.30 to make sure Catalina went off. She was not there – Mass? WaiteShe appeared at the gate later, where I paid her, her 15 pesetas owing, & saw her off in Bart's car. Spent morning (after a sleep) in cooking Sunday roast as it should be cooked with proper gravy, mintsauce etc. Mediaeval Schools . In afternoon after watering at the Posada, where Karl & I took the picture lent us by Schwarz, entertained Pedro, Catalina & Madora. Then to village – ices – and gave Strenge the agate brooch at last ready (from Barcelona). In evening Laura did one page of Antigua with me, grew tired, went to bed. Strike at Barcelona: no letters.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
500. *Water Affair Solved June 29 Monday. San Pedro y Pol
- Title:
- *Water Affair Solved June 29 Monday. San Pedro y Pol
- 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:
- 1936-06-29
- 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-1-494
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1936-06-29.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- *Water Affair Solved June 29 Monday. San Pedro y Pol Francisca went to Palma to find a cook. Katalina Martina came to help. I got lunch. Mediaeval Schools . Laura did another 20 pages of Antigua with me. To Fabrica to Tio Pedro 's fiesta where Gelat told us news of water settlement: they agreed to his terms & signed a contract. Champagne. Still no letters. Sleeping now with one sheet.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.