The fonds consists of research and lecture notes, professional correspondence and drafts of published works on economics. Included is a early version of an economic textbook, An Introduction to Economic Theory.

Walter H. Burritt's papers consist of course admission tickets, 1834-1835, and a letter of recommendation, 1835. Horatio Charles Burritt's papers consist of course admission and matriculation tickets, 1860-1863, three letters of recommendation, 1863, a receipt for student fees, 1863, certificates, 1859-1860, 1863, 1866, and his valedictory address, 1863.

Apart from a printed copy of his LL.D. thesis on the idea of atonement amongst the ancient Hebrews, and a copy of examination questions in mathematics set by him, Duff's papers are almost entirely concerned with his application for the Bradford position in 1877. These comprise letters of recommendation from J. W. Dawson, Alexander Johnson (Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts), and two professors at Andover Theological Seminary, as well as copies of a letter from A.M. Fairbairn of Aberdeen, encouraging Duff to apply for the post. There is also a copy of Duff's letter to the secretary of the Congregational College in which he declines an offer of teaching work.

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.

MacIntosh's involvement with the Medical Research Council of Canada is documented by correspondence, agendas and minutes (1960-1962) concerning grant applications and administrative affairs, particularly the Advisory Committee on Policy.

Lewis' papers consist of a few scattered items apparently assembled as part of his research for Royal Victoria Hospital 1887-1949, Montreal, McGill University Press, 1969. Newspaper clippings, 1932-1964, deal with Montréal and R.V.H. history. Lewis' correspondence, 1965-1971, with the Dominion Archivist, the McGill Archives, Dr. John Cleland, Mrs. Ellen Scrimger and others discusses various historical materials connected with the hospital. Also includes notes on material in the R.V.H. archives, some hospital newsletters and photographs, and a few reprints and addresses.

Campbell's papers contain some students materials, a small amount of correspondence, and commemorative materials associated with his retirement in 1950 and his 75th birthday in 1961. Student materials consist of mimeographed lecture notes for a course by Dr. J.C. Meakins, with Campbell's handwritten notes. The subjects covered are heart and lung diseases and the nervous system. Correspondence consists of a letter from Lady Drummond offering the services of the Canadian Red Cross Society to Campbell, 1917. A volume of photographs and biographies of doctors and nurses connected with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Montreal General Hospital, 1883-1950. was assembled by Campbell himself. Also included is 4 cm of correspondence and questionnaires, largely from former interns and residents who had served under Campbell's regime. An album of letters from former colleagues and friends commemorates Campbell's 75th birthday, 1961.

The fonds consists primarily of letters written during World War I to Drake's sister Daisy Molson and sister's husband, John Dunham Molson. Letters are accompanied by transcriptions and biographical material prepared by Martha E. McKenna. Also included are newspaper clippings dated 1915-1918 on Drake and the Canadian Army Medical Corps hospital run by McGill, one pocket notebook documenting Drake's time with the CAMC in France from 1915-1916, and a membership card to the Royal Club for Ladies from Beyond the Seas, dated 1919.

The fonds illustrates Alexander MacDonald's work as a medical student and physician and includes photographs, a thank you card, and biographical notes by his granddaughter.