Fonds consists of records (originals, printed materials, photographs and motion pictures) that are almost entirely of a professional and research nature, covering Barnes’ general scientific and university work during World War I, a number of special research problems, and his involvement in scientific and social organizations.

His general scientific and university files (1914-1915) contain correspondence, including copies of some of Barnes' outgoing letters on departmental adminstration, Barnes' lectures, publications, scientific apparatus, research problems and the exchange of information. Correspondents include colleagues in other institutions (including Ernest Rutherford), learned societies, and private industry. This series also contains a file on purchases for the University Library, and inventories of Barnes' library.

Far more extensive are the materials on special research problems. These comprise notes, essays and correspondence on the detection of submarines (1915-1917) and on the development of anti-freezing devices for fire extinguisher and sprinkler systems (1917). A report by Barnes on the effect of ice conditions on St. Lawrence navigaton is supplemented by printed background materials and copies, or extracts from other reports. Barnes' work on icebergs is documented by five binders of clippings, photographs, maps and diary notes on research expeditions to Newfoundland (1924-1929). Practical experiments in ice clearance are illustrated by bound notebooks of clippings and photographs, as well as a number of loose photographs showing ice and flooding damage, use of thermite and calcium chloride, apparatus and ice-crushers (ca 1921- 1929). Finally, two reels of 35 mm motion picture film (ca 1930) show Barnes experimenting with a new mercury microthermometer.

Barnes' work as Hon. Secretary of the Canadian Committee of the British Science Guild is documented by correspondence from 1907 to 1919, largely concerning the recruitment of members and officers, but also touching on a survey of science teaching in schools and the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1917. Less extensive files cover Barnes' involvement in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (1912-1914), the Rotary Club (1917) and the McGill Graduates' Society (1919)

Wallis' papers are grouped into three series: general scrapbooks, military scrapbooks, and military diaries. General scrapbooks, covering the years 1908-1977, contain letters, photographs, and printed materials relative to Wallis' career. Some volumes include his diary for the period, and all are heavily annotated. They cover all aspects of his career from high school to post-retirement, with special emphasis on his military career and social life. Military scrapbooks contain the same variety of materials for the period 1911-1969, but are devoted exclusively to Wallis' activities during the two World Wars, and his roles in the Black Watch and as an Honorary A.D.C. Military journals give brief reports of his daily activities form 1941 to 1945.

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.

Fonds consists mainly of Perrin's typescript lectures (1922-approximately 1929). Some of the lectures are in series, and were probably used in teaching university courses. Some consist of introductory or graduation addresses to music students. Predominant topics include music education, music in Canada, national musical styles, formal and genre developments, aesthetics, and the work of individual composers. Perrin's correspondence comprises a general file (1912-1949) concerning faculty matters, concerts, publications, and personal affairs, a file regarding concert and speaking engagements (1911-1929), and a few letters about the publication of Perrin's Canadian Song Book (1918). Some essays and answers to examination questions stem from Perrin's student years.

Scrimger's papers mainly concern his war service. His brief diary of the Ypres campaign, 1915, is supplemented by signals and military messages on troop movements and medical matters; Scrimger sometimes used the signal forms for additional diary entries. There are also a handful of letters and cables of congratulation on his V.C., certificates of service, newsclippings, and printed souvenirs. The remainder of these papers consist of obituary notices and tributes. Some are pasted into Scrimger's notebook of Professor Bier's clinic, Berlin, 1910.

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.

The fonds consists of the personal papers of Aimé Sydney Bruneau, including personal family and WWI correspondence, diaries, minutes, manuscripts, and Shakespeare manuscripts.

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 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.

The fonds contains chiefly the writings of Jeremy Walker on a variety of issues in moral philosophy and related literary topics. These writings, including anthologies, drafts of books and lecture notes, demonstrate the range of his eclectic interests from his formal studies of Kierkegaard and moral philosophy to his more personal intellectual pursuits concerning the literature of Kipling, Jane Austen, and Dostoyevsky, as well as the poetry of Woodsworth and reflections on Englishness. There are also examples of his published and unpublished poetry.

His more personal writings are in diaries that cover more than 20 years of his adult life and in contrast to his erudite writings on grand philosophical topics reflect his feelings and at times his dreams, on the state of his health, relationships with women, and recount the day-to-day events of urban travel and socializing.

His personal and family relationships are reflected by correspondence with family, friends and students, photo albums of travels to England and Greece, travel diaries document his summer activities from 1947 -1950, including lists of books read, drawings and photographs. As well, in a file titled Personalia (3) Apologiai Walker provides some personal chronologies, and reflects upon his writings and his life.