The Files papers document his activities as administrator of the Humanities Group and the English Department (ca 1946-1956, with some earlier material) and as a teacher. Administrative materials comprise about 1.5 m of information and correspondence files concerning the business of Senate, the Faculties of Arts and Science and Graduate Studies, the Humanities Group of the Arts Faculty, and the English Department. English Department material forms the largest part of the papers with files on honours and graduate students (including sessional registration forms), reading lists, examinations, awards, job applications, examination of theses, the administration of Moyse Hall, freshman orientation, and personal as well as general correspondence. There are also files pertaining to Files' work for the Montreal branch of the Humanities Association of Canada. Teaching materials consist of a large number of student essays, stories, examination papers and poems, including some by Louis Dudek and Irving Layton, ca 1937-1950. From Files' student days come lecture notes on the history of English language, 1921. There are also approximately 25 reprints of articles by Files' acquaintances and colleagues and copies of some journal and newspaper articles by and about Files.

The bulk of Gill's papers concern his consulting work for the mining industry and for government. Only two small files relate to his teaching career. Gill's work as mining consultant is documented by 124 maps, 48 designed by Gill himself, showing structural geology of various regions in eastern Canada, and mineral deposits of gold, iron, zinc and molybdenite, not only in Canada, but also in the Malartic gold fields in Peru (1929-1968). The papers also contain his report on iron ore in Labrador (1929) and two reports by W.F. James and J.E. Gill to the Newfoundland government, assessing prospects for gold in the Rainbow and Kayak Concessions, Labrador (1933), areas prospected by R.B. D'Aigle, see his papers, Section IX: Professions And Trades. IX). Three field notebooks record summer research expeditions (1935, 1947-1948). Three reports by Peter Eakins, a former student of Gill, describe the Malartic mine (1951, 1955-1956); there is also a report by Eakins on the Wasa Lake Goldfield (1950), and one by J.B. Gilliatt on the Wabana Iron Mines (1949). Gill also raised a file of correspondence and reports on Newfoundland mineral resources (ca 1955-1969). Finally, there are two boxes of petrographic slides, one with laboratory reports, a box of mineral samples collected for the Québec Ministry of Mines, and 4 photographs of mining concerns with which Gill was involved. His teaching activities are reflected by a file of plans, reports and memoranda on the organization of the Geology Department Map Library (1959-1969) and an outline with some draft chapters of a student's thesis (1969).

These papers concern the work of the committees on which Beach served from 1962 to 1969, and contain correspondence, memoranda, proposals, and reports, mostly for the Academic Policy Committee and the University Libraries Committee.

Scott's papers comprise notes, photographs, reprints and some correspondence on Biblical archeology, particularly weights, seals and coins (ca 1920-1966).

These papers contain Forbes' personal files of correspondence and clippings, some design materials and films of McGill football games. The personal files contain biographical materials such as his birth certificate, military commission and service records, and letters concerning his employment at McGill. Other files concern Forbes' designs for decorations for the 1951 Royal Visit, the McGill C.O.T.C., the Forbes Trophy for athletics, Forbes' involvement with McGill athletics and museums, and the career of his brother Kenneth Forbes, a painter. A number of diplomas and certificates awarded Forbes, as well as a photograph album, complete this series. Materials for designs include files on heraldry, a collection of illustrations from 19th century periodicals, designs for the Royal Visit decorations (a few, by Percy Nobbs, were used for the 1939 visit), maps, linocuts, bookplates, and programmes designed by Forbes for McGill events, ca 1925-1950. Thirty-four reels of motion picture film record McGill extramural football games (1947-1951). Films with sound track show the construction of the Currie gymnasium (1939-1940), and demonstrate the swimming techniques of Matt Mann. Additional biographical material is provided by obituary notices and letters of condolence to Mrs. Forbes, and by clippings of articles about Forbes.

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.

About half of Donald's papers consist of diaries giving brief daily records of his professional and sometimes personal activities from 1918 to 1981. The remaining files fall into two series. Essays and addresses, 1919-1962, largely on economic aspects of the chemical industry, were addressed to professional organizations and commercial bodies such as the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Chemical Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Industrial Development Board of Manitoba. More informal speeches include a radio talk on jobs in the chemical industry, 1938. Personal materials comprise some family, legal and investment records, 1940-1952, and undergraduate essay on medieval universities, 1910, correspondence related to an annuity fund set up by Donald for Jessie Henderson, secretary and librarian of McGill's Chemistry Department (1946-1961), and a file of press releases and congratulatory letters on Donald's receipt of the Chemical Industry Medal, 1952-1953.

Fonds consists of general professional correspondence, 1913-1961, including Maass’ outgoing letters for 1946-1954. Topics covered include defence research, the Pulp and Paper Institute, N.R.C. appointments, visits of scientists, and political questions (e.g. letters to and from Lester Pearson on NATO and the nuclear deterrant). There are also letters of recommendation by Maass, and personal communications from colleagues. A special binder of congratulatory letters marks his election to the Royal Society (1940), and there are similar files on his retirement (1955), and of condolences to his widow at his death (1961). Maass also assembled photostat copies of letters by eminent 19th century British scientists addressed to his great uncle, Prof. Plucker of Bonn.

Studies and research are documented by a physics laboratory notebook (1908-1909), and a "summary of data on hydrogen peroxide" collected in collaboration with W. Hatcher (1918-1919). A few addresses on the Canadian Institute of Chemistry (1939), the Pulp and Paper Research Institute (1945), and the relation between the Defence Research Board and the universities are included.

The D'Aigle papers fall into three series: diaries, correspondence and a scrapbook of photographs and memorabilia. The diaries (1912-1914, 1927, 1935-1952) are largely devoted to a day-by-day account of prospecting journeys. Correspondence with members of his family, partners, prospective financial backers and government mining bureaus covers the years 1900-1959. The scrapbook contains personal mementos, newsclippings about D'Aigle, photographs of his journeys, lists of supplies for prospecting trips, and maps, some drawn by D'Aigle himself.

The project files which occupy most of the archives of J.T. Donald and Co. fall into two series: ordinary business and special assignments. Both series contain the firms report's, and correspondence. Special assignments were largely connected with wartime armaments production. A few files concern work for the Imperial Munitions Board in World War I, but most consist of reports for the Chemical and Explosives Branch of the Department of Munitions and Supply, 1939-1948. Ordinary projects involve consultation for food, pulp and paper, petroleum, and chemical manufacturies, as well as for some government departments, 1888-1940. Outgoing correspondence from 1881 to 1909 is contained in letterbooks. A file of legal documents, 1924-1946, refer to claims against the company, agreements, and partnerships. Also included are an undated notebook on chemical analysis, and scrapbooks and files of newsclippings of professional interest (e.g. reports of explosions caused by oil and gas) covering the period 1916-1958. There are also reports on mining and energy sources prepared by Donald alone and also in partnership with J.H. Ross for various private and government bodies.