Goodbye To All That

Although a familiar as a poet and already with several books to his name, in 1927 Robert gained public recognition for the biography of his friend Lawrence of Arabia. He followed this in 1929 at the age of 34 by his war memoir Good-bye to All That which was an instant success. He broke with his former life and moved to Mallorca.

Poet, Storyteller, Soldier, Mythographer, Novelist, Essayist

As a historical novelist his “I Claudius” novels were run-away best sellers. “Few incidents here given are wholly unsupported by historical authority or some sort” he says. Later, the historical interpretation when investigating the recovery of Golden Fleece led him deep into Mythology.

Myths and Ancient Religions

Robert’s interest in myths and ancient religions (including the Bible) led him to his seminal study: The White Goddess. This in turn led him to translating classics including Apuleius’s The Golden Ass , Suetonius’ The Twelve Caesars and Homer’s Iliad, and to his brilliant recompilation The Greek Myths.

A Poet at the Service of his Muse

Graves saw himself a Poet at the service of his Muse. Writing prose was an occupation which allowed him to continue in her service. Among many other international distinctions he was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford University, and he received the Queen’s Medal for Poetry.

Soldier-Poet of the World War I

Robert Graves fought in the First World War. His first book of poems Over the Brazier was published shortly before being severely wounded and left for dead on the Somme battlefield. He was not quite 21 years old and already a captain and company commander.

Goodbye To All That

Robert's Life

Life Statement

“Since the age of fifteen poetry has been my ruling passion and I have never intentionally undertaken any task or formed any relationship that seemed inconsistent with poetic principles: which has sometime won me the reputation of an eccentric.”

(The White Goddess)

Born in 1895; Anglo-Irish father, German mother. Soldier-poet in WWI with his friends Sassoon and Owen. After an unsuccessful first marriage and four children he wrote Good-bye to All That and retired to Majorca with poet Laura Riding (1929). There he wrote his best selling I, Claudius (1934). Rarely covering the same subject twice, his novel The Golden Fleece led him to his ground breaking thesis on ancient religions The White Goddess (1948) and on to his Greek Myths. He was a biblical scholar, biographer, translator, but above all a poet. He published over 1200 poems. He was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford (1961), and was awarded the Queen’s Medal for Poetry (1968). He is buried in Deià, Majorca.

ROBERT GRAVES AND THE MOUNTAINS

Discover a new facet of Graves' life with the presentation of "El Crestall Rost" with the translations of Dr. Eduard Moya

Robert Graves, celebrated for his outstanding poetic contribution to the 20th century, had an enduring affinity with the natural world, particularly the rugged landscapes of North Wales in his youth and the awe-inspiring mountains of La Tramuntana in his life rear. This talk offers the audience a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of his poetry and his passion for the mountains.

One of the central themes explored in the exhibition is the idea that rock climbing taught Robert Graves to trust his senses and intuition, skills that were crucial in the difficult journey, both in the world of mountains and in the kingdom of love. Graves drew parallels between the two, seeing the lover as a traveler venturing into the perils of love, much like a mountaineer tackling the challenges of a perilous ascent. Visitors will delve into the world of Graves through a selection and reading of his poems, which shed light on his intimate relationship with the mountains.

"Robert Graves and the Mountains" invites literary enthusiasts, as well as those with a love of nature, to delve into the life and work of this remarkable poet. The talk is a testament to how the natural world can serve as a source of inspiration and wisdom, inspiring one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century to create verse that continues to resonate with readers around the world.

We present the musical group Forka to enjoy a unique folkloric musical experience that will bring us the sounds of the Atlantic in connection with the sounds of the Mediterranean.

After the presentation, there will be a guided tour (voluntary) of approximately 90 minutes through the mountain that connects Deià with Ca n'Alluny. If it is of interest to you, wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the terrain and possible climate changes.

April 13, Ca n'Alluny, Deià at 10:15 a.m.

Departure on foot: 11:45am

Language: Catalan

Book a Place

ROBERT GRAVES I LES MUNTANYES

Descobreix una nova faceta de la vida de Graves amb la presentació de "El Crestall Rost" amb les traduccions del Dr. Eduard Moyà.

Robert Graves, celebrat per la seva excepcional contribució poètica al segle XX, va tenir una afinitat perdurable amb el món natural, especialment amb els paisatges escarpats del Nord de Gal·les en la seva joventut i les impressionants muntanyes de La Tramuntana en la seva vida posterior. Aquesta xerrada ofereix a l'audiència una oportunitat única per explorar la intersecció de la seva poesia i la seva passió per la muntanya.

Un dels temes centrals explorats a l'exposició és la idea que l'escalada en roca va ensenyar a Robert Graves a confiar en els seus sentits i intuïció, habilitats que van ser crucials en el difícil viatge, tant en el món de les muntanyes com en el reialme de l'amor. Graves va establir paral·lelismes entre ambdós, veient l'amant com a viatger que s'aventura en els perills de l'amor, igual que un alpinista abordant els reptes d'un ascens perillós. Els visitants s’endinsaran en el món de Graves a través d'una selecció i lectura dels seus poemes, que il·luminen la seva relació íntima amb les muntanyes.

"Robert Graves i les Muntanyes" convida als entusiastes de la literatura, així com aquells amb amor per la natura, a endinsar-se en la vida i obra d'aquest poeta notable. La xerrada és un testimoni de com el món natural pot servir com a font d'inspiració i saviesa, inspirant un dels poetes més celebrats del segle XX a crear versos que continuen ressonant amb els lectors arreu del món.

Presentam el grup musical Forka per gaudir d'una experiència musical folklòrica única que ens portarà els sons de ‘lAtlàntic en connexió amb els sons mediterranis.

Després de la presentació, hi haurà una sortida guiada (voluntària) d'aproximadament 90 minuts per la muntanya que connecta Deià amb Ca n'Alluny. Si és del vostre interès, porteu roba i calçat adequats per al terreny i pels possibles canvis climàtics.

13 d'abril, Ca n'Alluny, Deià a les 10:15 h.

Sortida a peu: 11:45h

Idioma: Catala

Reservar Entrada

Image Galleries

Family and friends. Photos, paintings, etc. First Edition book Covers.

Video & Audio

Readings, Interviews, TV & Film.

Poem of the Week

Random poem from a selection of his best.

Letter of the Week

Random letter from O’Prey’s published Selected Letters

Robert Graves Society

Meetings, conferences, photos and more.

Foundation & Museum

Robert Graves’s House and Foundation in Mallorca.

Robert Graves Review

A publication for scholars and academics, now online.

Online Resources

Bibliography, diaries, Location of documents, Texts of letters.

Quotes, sayings and loose verses

Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the owner had done something of no benefit to anyone more capably than everyone else.

Robert Graves

If I were a girl, I'd despair. The supply of good women far exceeds that of the men who deserve them.

Robert Graves

If there's no money in poetry, neither is there poetry in money.

Robert Graves - speech, Dec. 6, 1963, London School of Economics. "Mammon," Mammon and the Black Goddess (1965).

Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the owner had done something of no benefit to anyone more capably than everyone else.

Robert Graves

The Laureare tells of Robert Graves's early life which caused him to write Good-bye to All That and to move to Mallorca - Now available on DVD.

Books by Robert Graves and Biographies

Find novels and poems by Robert Graves or biographies from various publishing houses.