The fonds consists of documents relating to Macdonald’s publications and professional activities outside the classroom both prior to and during his tenure at McGill and for various professional associations. The scope covers the period of 1976 to 2012 and includes: articles, essays, and speeches (both draft, final and off-print) and their assorted documentation (travel itinerary, correspondence, conference notes, and research).

The fonds is divided into four series which were imposed by the archivist. The first is Publications which relates to any of Macdonald’s published material. The second is Professional Activities which is composed mainly of speeches and conference notes and materials. The third is Publications and Professional Activities which encompasses any professional activity which was subsequently published or vice versa. The last is Course Materials.