This series contains several of Dr. Penfield's personal appointment diaries, and several diaries of his wife, Helen Kermott Penfiedl. It also currently includes a photograph album from 1913-1916, a scrapbook from Dr. Penfield's time at Galahad School (1905), some miscellaneous material collected by Dr. William Feindel concerning Dr. Penfield and the Montreal Neurological Institute, and an old reprint mailing list compiled by Dr. Penfield.

The file contains the journal of Helen K. Penfield for 1946. The front cover is inscribed “Engagement of WPJr., Ferrier Lectures, Visit to Crosby + R.M. [McN Feindel Telegrams May 30/31/46]”. The volume contains entries about Wilder and Helen’s trip to England and includes telegrams, envelopes, letters to the couple from Barbara [Carelton?], newspaper clippings, a train schedule and cards. In addition, while the Journal is labelled as Helen’s, Wilder has written some entries as well.

The file contains the diary of Wilder Penfield for May 1972 to May 1974. The front cover is inscribed with “May 72 - Nov 74”. The diary documents Penfield’s thoughts and reactions to colleagues deaths, such as that of Dr. Wilburt Davidson and Francis Hall; his health, his age and decreased mobility; Helen’s memory issues; social activities such as church services, weddings, and visits; the writing of No Man Alone; the Vanier Institute of the Family; and addresses and the accompanying trips, to London Ontario’s Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery in September 1972 and the trip to the Glasgow Institute of Neurological Services. In addition, Penfield discusses science and religion during an Easter entry, looking at the resurrection of Christ in terms of brain processes. Penfield has gone through and corrected his grammar and spelling or has expanded upon his initial thoughts, usually in pencil or pen.

The file contains the diary of Wilder Penfield for January 1 1969 to November 15 1969. The diary contains additional entries on extra paper. The diary documents Penfield’s thoughts on his work, including consciousness and its connection to physical phenomena, and his writing; the idea of ‘worthwhile’ work and his future; Vanier Institute of the Family business; accounts of religious services and the connection of religion to his work; current events, and his travel to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival; and family events, such as the decision to stay at the house with assistance and the construction at the summer house. Throughout the diary are reminisces of the past. Penfield has gone through and corrected his grammar and spelling or has expanded upon his initial thoughts, usually in pencil or pen.

The file contains the diary of Wilder Penfield for July 1968. The diary has been written in a ‘Walker’s “Year by Year” Books’ volume and Penfield has crossed out the original dates. The diary documents Vanier Institute of the Family business; the preparation for various papers, forwards and lectures; accounts of spending time with his children and their families; an account of the history of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and his own experience in July 1968; and his learning of and reflections about the death of Henry Dale. Penfield has gone through and corrected his grammar and spelling or has expanded upon his initial thoughts, usually in pencil or pen.

The file contains the diary of Wilder Penfield for December 1967 to June 1968. The first 49 pages are numbered and Penfield has added in entries on extra paper. The diary documents Vanier Institute of the Family concerns; Penfield’s thoughts on the future, including ideas around second careers, possible future papers and projects, questions about his purpose, and what he would do if he was 30 years younger; accounts of his children and grandchildren; thoughts on Stanley Cobb’s death; account of Helen and Wilder’s travels to London, Berlin and Greece for a month and includes commentary on meeting friends and colleagues, history of the area and religions and the Gold Medal from the Royal Society of Medicine; his thoughts on stream of consciousness and neural processes; and a brief note of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King’s deaths. In addition, the diary includes a list of events for 1967, commentary on West and East Berlin, and an account of the 55th Princeton Reunion. Penfield has gone through and corrected his grammar and spelling or has expanded upon his initial thoughts, usually in pencil or pen.

Sub-series consists of bound appointment diaries used by Dr. Penfield to kep track of both his personal and professional engagements between 1930 and 1976.

The file contains correspondence on topics including the lunch with the Russian Delegation at the Royal Victoria Hospital; a report ‘The Montreal Neurological Institute Comes of Age’, 1955-1956; a Joint Hospital campaign notice, 1956; and the transfusion service.