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)
71. May 3 Friday.
- Title:
- May 3 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:
- 1935-05-03
- 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-1-71
- 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_1935-05-03.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- May 3 Friday. Finished A Foreign Land in three more drafts. To Margarita with Salamo and then back: worked at F.V.C. Bad weather still: heavy, everyone headachey. Entry on previous page.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
72. Saturday May 4
- Title:
- Saturday May 4
- 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:
- 1935-05-04
- 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-1-72
- 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_1935-05-04.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Saturday May 4 To village to buy sheepheads, stir up Miguel to get picture frames & netting done, take stuff to Margarita, ask Catalina to whitewash, warn Sebastian that the goat was loose on Son Canals land, leave packet for Karl at Old Café, inquire after Medora Madora ,order cigarettes from Valldemossa . Heavy, heavy day with boira and a few drops of rain. Rosa came, brought my silk nightshirts & socks: also two old Mallorquin waistcoats & a skirt with painted spots which we bought for 18 pesetas in all. C.F.V. Went with Carl to Margarita with two pairs of trousers & two of shorts to be cut down by her for him. Visited deposito : about 3 weeks more to finish. Brought back mill paddle from the old wheel. Contract of C.F.V. from Arthur Barker Karl witnessed it. Strawberries from garden.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
73. Sunday May 5.
- Title:
- Sunday May 5.
- 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:
- 1935-05-05
- 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-1-73
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-05.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Sunday May 5. C.F.V. all morning except for short walk with Salamo. And in afternoon. Heavy weather continues. Stinging houseflies. Touched up Laura's cupboard with brown stain. Apollodorus came from Heffer. Filled Ca'n Torrent bottles with drinks.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
74. Monday May 6th
- Title:
- Monday May 6th
- 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:
- 1935-05-06
- 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-1-74
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-06.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Monday May 6th Mesquida whitewashed by Catalina & Maria Magdalena Martina. C.F.V. all morning. Laura lay in bed reading Jane Austen. Lunch at Can Torrent. Still heavy weather, but somewhat better. Have now done four short chapters of C.F.V. , about 9,000 words. Another 6,000 words will bring story up to the point where the film begins. Have reached the death of Augustus. Put back plates etc in the Mesquida: decided on some furniture to go to Posada. New cups from Palma. On walk with Salamo met two carters trying to raise a mule fallen on or slippery asphalt. Loquats at their best. Wrote to Sanders for copy of Blanding's Castle & account of what books he has of ours. To Honor for new shaving brush, beads from Goods to be brought by Maisie, beads from Lucie as ordered. To one Maurice Firth who was with 3rd Garrison Royal Welch Fusiliers under me at Kimmel Park: now in New York. He wrote to me.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
75. Tuesday May 7
- Title:
- Tuesday May 7
- 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:
- 1935-05-07
- 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-1-75
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-07.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Tuesday May 7 C.F.V. all morning. Laura in bed. Entrada whitewashed. Did not get up till 2 o'clock when Gelat came and we discussed the car question. Gelat explained expense & trouble of keeping one ourselves; said that he had had the idea himself of giving up camión business to Juan, now that he was no longer young, and devoting himself to work here, and having a single small car to go into Palma with occasionally, with us. He will look out for one. Went with him to see men working on road. Village. Strenge ragging Emmerich. Letter from Oman, with dilatory reply to German question. Letter from Harrison Smith showing 8500 sales in 3 weeks of Claudius the God and a bunch of cuttings including one congrat ing America on having at last a historical novel of international standard. Gelat & Bernado came late. Gelat with sample tile (hexagonal) from Hotel Florida, bought cheap. Margaret Russell sent Jubilee souvenir. Read Mrs. Oliphant's Makers of Jerusalem to Laura who was in bed.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
76. Tuesday Wednesday May 8th
- Title:
- Tuesday Wednesday May 8th
- 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:
- 1935-05-08
- 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-1-76
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-08.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Tuesday Wednesday May 8th C.F.V. then working with Laura & Karl rearranging the books & papers in the press-room: Miguel had brought the inking table. Also putting up paddle from mill of Can Medo Can Mado , beasts (framed by Miguel) in John's room, birds at Can Torrent. Laura & I designed round table from Can Torrent. All afternoon rearranging library. To Can Medo where pipes were laid, finished today. Louis Golding came & talked books; his own, also mine. Laura Riding & I rather severe but he didn't behave badly. “A hardened novelist.” Began pasting pictures on press-room composition-frame cover. To Gelat late with Laura & Karl. Gelat will look out for a motor-bicycle for Karl. Note from Korda that he will get in touch with Richmond when film gets started.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
77. Thursday May 9th
- Title:
- Thursday May 9th
- 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:
- 1935-05-09
- 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-1-77
- 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_1935-05-09.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Thursday May 9th My escritorio whitewashed. Signed the Harrison Smith contract & sent it off, with letter about collected poems & why not. Hung ladder shawl in hall & newly glazed mirror. Finished Can Torrent arrangements. Slight rain. Very heavy day. On Monday men will start searching for the spring. In afternoon women whitewashing press room. Paid Amador 1.70 a packet for Lucky Strikes (40 packets) Laura painted butterfly design on ex-breadboard. C.F.V. not much. To Palma at 2 [pm]. Bought a mata-Moros in teak10 p , three silhouette pictures 5p[ts] each, a reading-stand from the church of San Pat(?), a Menorcan picture 30[pts], a commoda 60[pts], a banco 80 pts, a large white lace shawl for Laura 75 [pts], two Mallorquin cut glass candlesticks 25 [pts] the pair, all at Margarita Mateu. Beefsteaks at Alhambra & home. Other general shopping. Laura's Progress of Stories proofs came & letter from Constable undertaking to distribute for Seizin Press.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
78. Friday May 10th
- Title:
- Friday May 10th
- 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:
- 1935-05-10
- 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-1-78
- Fonds Title:
- Robert Graves collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC050
- Is_referenced_by:
- Robert Graves Diary project URL: http://graves.uvic.ca/diary_1935-05-10.html and Special Collection finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/robert-graves-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Friday May 10th Heavy day again. C.F.V. a little. Pressroom finished and dispensa whitewashed. In afternoon to Palma (see preceding page) So cold that the Ferres & Kurtz borrowed a basketful of firewood. Will buy Palma ring for 75 pts if owners come down to that.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
79. Saturday May 11
- Title:
- Saturday May 11
- 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:
- 1935-05-11
- 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-1-79
- 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_1935-05-11.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Saturday May 11 Bright weather; boira descended again at 11. Miguel the younger came to saw bore hole in beam for Mesquida second lamp. C.F.V. a little, and playing general post again with new pictures and ornaments until they were quite right. Proof correcting Progress of Stories . To sea with Solomon: dislodged big log from under stones with a stake: put it to be brought up. Letter from Arthur Barker about giving Curtis Brown handling of money in Germany at 5% discount. Gelat brought me Hispano-Americano cheque book. Cut out pictures and pasted all evening. Schwarz gave Laura glass giraffe. Excellent strawberries from garden.
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.
80. Sunday May 12
- Title:
- Sunday May 12
- 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:
- 1935-05-12
- 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-1-80
- 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_1935-05-12.html
- Date Digitized:
- 2002-07-19
- Transcript:
- Sunday May 12 C.V.F. and Laura's proofs. Done 2/3rds now. Thunder & rain but only a shower. Hippotame Hippopotome came. Letter from Honor that she will definitely arrive 22nd; & bring boat etc. Letter from Eddie Marsh saying that have won Hawthornden prize. If I can't come can cancel ceremony. Replied, couldn't. Wrote thanking Arthur Barker Shawls hung up. Wrote to Harrison Smith to prepare him about Haw. Prize: asked him to forward letter to Baltimore Evening Sun who accused me of anachronism. Climbing roses & Love-in-the-mist
- Technical Note:
- 300 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by MT.