Very few of the McLeod papers actually concern the Observatory. However, his work for the railways and in Newfoundland is documented, as are his views on the education and employment of engineers. The basic record for the early part of his career is a diary kept from 1870 to 1875, regarding student days and early work on the Observatory. An essay, "Winter under canvas" (1868) describes an early surveying job, and a letter from his father (1872) inquires about his academic progress. His work for the railways is documented by three letters of recommendation, and two letters (one from Stanford Fleming) on the work of his colleagues in the West. The Newfoundland survey (1875) is described in McLeod's diary, a manuscript essay "Across Newfoundland" (1876), his printed reports and three letters. His work at McGill is represented by six letters (largely official acknowledgements of appointments), and McLeod's manuscript notes on McGill history. McLeod's concern with the engineering profession is reflected in two addresses on education and professional development, and copies of about a dozen letters to Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1906-1908), C.A. McGrath and E.F. Wurtele (1912), largely on the employment of engineers in the civil service.
The greater portion of Purves' papers consists of research materials from his undergraduate and post-graduate period. These include lecture notes in natural philosophy and chemistry (1921-1923), laboratory notes on methylated sugars (1923-1924), extraction of glucose by yeast (1929-1931) and carbohydrate analysis (1929-1930) and reports of experiments at the U.S. National Institute of Health. Teaching files contain lecture notes for his courses in organic chemistry (1957-1965) and correspondence with John R. Platt regarding a new textbook of elementary organic chemistry.
The fonds includes American Neurological Association material (1934-1941), army files (1939-1943), correspondence, lecture notes, glass slides, large glass negatives, colour screen filters, and reprints with a card index.
The records of this society comprise a minute book, 1920-1926, a register of members, and some unbound papers (drafts of constitution, membership lists, correspondence).
The Conrad Harrington fonds consists of correspondence including the Royal Trust Companies in Canada, London, Jersey and Ireland (1964-1973). Heavily documented is Conrad Harrington’s involvement at McGill University as a member on the Board of Governors (1963-1975), with the Alma Mater Fund and with the McGill Fund Council. Included are newspaper clippings, mainly related to the Royal Trust Companies, St. Paul Church in Montreal, and reports, minutes and agendas of meetings from Trinity College School in Ontario (1973-1974). Files are arranged alphabetically. Records related to Dr. Harrington as McGill Chancellor can be found in the Record Group 1.
Harrington, Conrad F. (Conrad Fetherstonhaugh), 1912-2000
The Coppenrath Collection of Voyageurs Contracts for the North West Company partners contains 52 contracts for the period from approximately 1800 to 1821. These document the terms of engagement for men going into the North West . Voyageur contracts are of particular interest for study of the fur trade, Canada's first major industry, because they document the conditions of employment for many of the journeymen ("engagés") involved in the trade, both those who worked on the Ottawa River and those who "wintered" in the North West. The contracts are dated from 1800 to 1821 with printed forms from before 1800 being used in some cases. A significant number of outfitters are included namely the firm of McTavish, McGillivrays & Co. with various partners including John Ogilvy and Thomas Thain, Pierre de Rocheblave and earlier partnership – McTavish, Frobisher & Co. As well, there are contracts with lesser known outfitters. These contracts provide not only the names of the "engagés" but usually their place of residence and the conditions and terms of their employment.
