Correspondence of Clarissa Graves

The majority of Clarissa Graves's letters to her brother contain personal, domestic and family news, from the years at Erinfa in Harlech where she looked after their ailing and elderly mother until her death in 1951, and the subsequent decades largely spent in guest houses in Harlech and Devon. Before Amy Graves's death Clarissa Graves's letters often convey their mother's news and opinions, including her support for a divorce from Nancy Nicholson. Clarissa Graves also discusses poetry in her letters and occasionally includes a poem she has written, describes the fate of their father's "archive" following their mother's death, and occasionally reminiscences about their childhood. The series includes eight postcards bearing images of scenes around Harlech. Her correspondence from Jerusalem, from 1941 to 1944, 1946 to 1947 and 1948, where she taught English and kept house for her half-brother Richard Graves when he was Director of Labour for the British Mandate of Palestine, describes life in a city of many different communities and increasing danger. Two of these letters, for reasons which are not clear, are in the form of photographic reproductions. The bundle also includes one letter from Graves to Clarissa Graves, 4 March 1922, thanking her for taking care of his home and children whilst Nancy Nicholson was away giving birth to their third child, Catherine. A brief note from Richard Hughes is appended to Clarissa Graves's letter of 16 May 1960.

Material was arranged in chronological order, although half was in reverse chronological order; it has been re-arranged into one chronological sequence.

Canelluñ Collection number: CC0408

This refers to the arrangement of the papers in Robert Graves’ study before they were transferred to the College.