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.

Fonds consists of correspondence and literary manuscripts, documenting all aspects of MacMillan’s career. Biographical background is provided by his own notes on his life and family history. From his student years come certificates and testimonials in support of his application for a Rhodes Scholarship (1904-1909). His war experience is recorded in letters from the front preserved by his family, and by a personal diary for 1917. There are also approximately twenty photographs of Macmillan and his family taken between about 1905 and 1940.

Macmillan's correspondence includes files of letters to his wife (1917-1936) on his war service and political affairs; personal and social letters (1923-1929); political correspondence, including several letters from McKenzie King (1926-1946); letters concerning McGill, including a number from Sir Arthur Currie and from Stephen Leacock (1920-1947); post-retirement correspondence on McGill and public affairs; and correspondence concerning his publications (1920-1960). There are also files of invitations to events at McGill and elsewhere.

The manuscripts fall into two categories: political speeches and literary manuscripts. Besides notes and texts for his own speeches, there are also texts of, and newspaper clippings about speeches written by Macmillan for Sir Arthur Currie and others (1920-1950). Drafts and typescripts of his literary works are supplemented by notes, clippings and correspondence.

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.

Fonds documents Thomson's research, his consultations with government, and his involvement in learned societies and university associations. As well, a significant percentage of the material is of a nonprofessional and private nature, focussing on Thomson as a public speaker.

Papers devoted to research consist of 18 cm of background notes, summaries and extracts on nutrition, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and vitamins. Approximately .6 m of card indexes contain summaries of Thomson's professional reading in the 1920s and 1930s. For the 1940s and 1950s, the papers deal mainly with consulting. They consist of correspondence and reports for the Defence Department (1942- 1946), the Canadian Council on Nutrition (1946-1955) and the Canadian Council on Dietary Standards (1950-1957). Nutrition and research in this field are also the subjects of correspondence with the Royal Society, the Medical Research Council, and the Canada Council during this period. Thomson's work as a university teacher is documented by lecture outlines and examination question papers. His administrative positions led to his involvement in the National Council of Canadian Universities. These correspondence files (1946-1949) deal with academic exchange, scholarships, travel funds and conferences.

Speaking engagements are recorded by correspondence (1953-1954) and in drafts for speeches delivered between 1950 and 1961. Only a few of these discuss scientific topics; most discuss the nature of education, the relation of science to society, and of science to literature. There are also book reviews and background files of quotations and humorous poetry. Correspondence files, which Thomson generated as the Chairman of the Nutrition Committee of the Montréal Council of Social Agencies, are also found here (1939-1944).

Financial affairs, personal purchases and charities, travel expenses, and publications (particularly his Life of the Cell) dominate the private papers (1925-1963). There are also correspondence files maintained by Thomson's secretary during his last illness.

The fonds consists mainly of documents relating to Gales' private life, including correspondence with family and friends during the war years (1931-1946) and correspondence documenting his social networking amongst graduates (1978-1985). The fonds also includes agendas (1967-1982), covering his years working at McGill University and into retirement.

Fonds consists of Dr. Ewen Cameron's teaching materials, articles, addresses, and a file of material regarding the Nazi leader Rudolf Hess and his claims of amnesia during the Nuremberg trials in 1946, as well as a couple files of biographical interest on Cameron. Teaching materials consist of notes for a seminar on tension and anxiety for military psychiatric personnel (1943). Articles and addresses comprise a draft, with letter from the McGill Medical Journal, an article on psychiatric education (1944) an address to the American Psychiatric Association on day-hospitals (1947), opening remarks for the World Congress of Psychiatry meeting (1961), and "Some thoughts on my years as director of the (Allan Memorial) Institute" (1964). There are also a few reprints of articles on memory, psychiatric training, and hospitalization. The file on Rudolf Hess contains trial transcripts, examination reports, Cameron's contemporary notes on Hess's condition, and some later comments on and correspondence about the proceedings (1945-1947). Biographical materials consists of a copy of Cameron's letter of appointment at McGill (1943), and a biographical sketch by Dorothy Trainor of the Allan Memorial Institute.

Fonds are exclusively concerned with Hebb’s work as a research psychologist and professor. Hebb's research is documented by two types of material: his correspondence, and his files on research projects. Incoming and copies of outgoing letters from ca 1934 to ca 1977 are overwhelmingly scientific in character, discussing psychological theories and their criticism, research problems, the ethics of experimentation and funding. A second section of correspondence deals with learned societies and funding organizations (1959-1977). Project files contain reports to funding bodies, and, in particular, research files and reports for Defense Research Board projects, 1950-1962 (restricted); there are also files on the administration of research grants (1964-1973), largely dealing with appointments, payroll and travel funds.

Publications - his own, and others sent to him for evaluation - are the subject of correspondence with various publishers, 1950-1977. Files of notes, correspondence, reviews, and comments concerning Hebb's own books and articles cover the years 1933 to 1971. These papers also contains original drafts for 14 monographs, articles and speeches (1941-1959), including a draft of The Organization of Behavior with Karl Lashley's comments.

Course materials, and papers by and about his students, reveal Hebb's teaching activities. Lecture notes survive for about 120 addresses to seminars, colloquia and associations (1938-1976) and there are files of lecture notes, class materials and bibliographies for McGill courses, particularly "Introduction to Psychology" (Psychology 200). About 75 slides illustrate Hebb's addresses on "Thought and Language", "Semi-autonomous processes" and other topics (ca 1962-1972). Student materials consist of files of letters of recommendation and correspondence (1947-1977) with and about students, teaching assistants, and members of Hebb's research team. As well, there are 15 original and 4 volumes of photocopied undergraduate research papers (1959-1962) and copies of 42 graduate theses supervised by Hebb (1947-1972).

The fonds consists of letters to Dorothy King from Cynthia Rendall Toller between approximately 1930 and approximately 1970. They detail family affairs, teaching, and rationing in England during World War II alongside various references to Canada and accounts of British National medical services between approximately 1960 and approximately 1970.

Fonds consists of private correspondence related to Clarke’s professional work, a few musical manuscripts and texts of addresses, and a large body of personal financial accounts. His correspondence falls into two series. The general correspondence discusses arrangements for concerts in England and Canada, compositions (his own and others), the problems of musical life in Montréal, and private matters such as travel arrangements and club memberships. Much of the correspondence concerns the social aspects of music and of Clarke's position: patronage of musical events, organization of celebrations for the Jubilee of 1935 and the Coronation in 1937, and complementary tickets to concerts. Amongst his correspondents are a number of musicians and composers, including Sir Ernest MacMillan and Healey Willan. A very small percentage of this material concerns university business. A second series consists of invitations to address or attend meetings, with related correspondence. Both series cover the years 1929-1952.

Over half of the papers consist of personal financial accounts (1929-1953) for Clarke's insurance, taxes, apartment rental, various domestic expenses (e.g. groceries), telegrams, travel, and transportation.

There are two undated addresses: one on Christmas and the second on musical education. There are also two music sketchbooks from around 1920. Pictorial material comprises two photographs (approximately 1923, 1954) and a pencil sketch (1933).