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 the diary of Wilder Penfield for November 1975 to April 1976. The diary details the last few months before his death in April 1976. This includes reflections on love, his marriage, his health, and finishing work on No Man Alone. Penfield has gone through and corrected his grammar and spelling or has expanded upon his initial thoughts, usually in pencil or pen. After the last entry, there is a line in a different hand started but most of it is illegible.
The file contains correspondence to and from Kristian Kristiansen; Clinical and Laboratory Schedules, 1975; Notes from Anne Dawson to Wilder Penfield; letters to John Bates; letters from K.A.C. Elliot; a letter from A.N. Richards, University of Pennsylvania; letters to and from William Feindel; and letters to and from Bertha Cameron.
The file contains the diary of Wilder Penfield for December 1974 to October 1975. The front cover is inscribed “W.P. Journal Dec 74 → Oct 1975”. The volume is a previously used notebook as Penfield has crossed out previously used pages from 1933-1943 which contain lists of names and addresses and has written in the book upside down and backwards. The diary documents Penfield’s progress on No Man Alone, including his struggles to complete it and officially sending it to the publisher; offers of engagement including sermons and lectures; his health, including the diagnosis of rare inflammation of the muscles polymyostis; Helen’s health, including her broken hip and memory issues; reminisces on past events; and his concern about making his life useful. 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 Wilder Penfield correspondence about the Osler Library. It includes notices of meetings and minutes of the Board of Curators; copies of the Osler Library Newsletter (1972, no-7-9); budget information; a photo of a painting of the Osler Library; a proposal for a rare book wing for the Osler Library; a plan of the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, 4th floor; the appointment of the History of Medicine Librarian; the origin of the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building name; and correspondence with John P. McGovern of the McGovern Allergy Clinic.
The file contains documents relating to the cost of the Montreal Neurological Institute buildings, including a final detailed statement of cost, 1936; statement of cost, 1934; special fittings, 1934; estimates for scientific equipment, etc., no date; and recommendations for the organization of neurosurgery, no date.
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.