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.

Three scrapbooks document Birks' involvement with McGill, particularly with the Theological Colleges and the Faculty of Divinity. One contains newspaper clippings and correspondence (1912-1913) concerning the United College of Theology. The second scrapbook contains newspaper clippings and correspondence (1912-1948) on the establishment of the Faculty of Divinity at McGill. The third contains telegrams concerning the appointment of Sir Auckland Geddes as Principal in 1919, as well as newspaper clippings regarding the McGill Fund Campaign (1911) and the Patriotic Fund, (1914-1917). There is also correspondence about church matters and the Joint Theological Colleges and brief accounts of the establishment of the latter, correspondence, minutes, reports, reminiscences and notes document the establishment of the Faculty of Divinity in 1948. There is also a builder's contract and accounts for the Birks building on University Street and a draft fragment of a historical story or novel set in the 14th century about a Richard Birks.

The fonds consists of a Strathcona Prize Plaque from 1939 and a scrapbook compiled by Dorothy Graham McCaig during her time at McGill, 1936-1937. Notably the scrapbook includes news clippings and memorabilia of the Student Peace Protests.

This small file of Van Horne's correspondence concerns McGill affairs between 1901 and 1915. Apart from routine notices of Governors' meetings, there are appeals from professors for funds to purchase equipment, collections and scholarships, letters from Sir William Peterson on the appointment of Carrie Derrick as Professor of Botany, from E.B. Greenshields on the University Magazine and from others, including Sir William Macdonald, Helen R.Y. Reid and R. Tait Mackenzie.

Fonds consists of a scrapbook largely devoted to McGill affairs. It contains correspondence addressed both to Fleet and to other members of the McGill community such as B.J. Harrington, C.H. McLeod and A.F. Gault, largely on administrative and ceremonial business of the university. There are a few communications from J.W. Dawson, including Dawson's draft for the Peter Redpath memorial tablet. Also included are newsclippings on McGill events including numerous invitations, announcements,
addresses, programs and memorabilia from convocations, university dinners, athletic meets and musical performances.

The fonds contains memorabilia from Basil C. MacLean's years at McGill University, including Old McGill yearbooks (1925, 1929), McGill knitted button-up sweater, a silverware set with the McGill crest, a small oval silver tray, a silver tureen with lid, 2 pennants and 8 photographs which include the Montreal General Hospital 1927-30, Faculty of Medicine 1926, Alpha Delta Chapter Fraternity, 1924-25 and the McGill Student's Executive Council, 1924-26.