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 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.
Scott's papers comprise notes, photographs, reprints and some correspondence on Biblical archeology, particularly weights, seals and coins (ca 1920-1966).
MacIntosh's involvement with the Medical Research Council of Canada is documented by correspondence, agendas and minutes (1960-1962) concerning grant applications and administrative affairs, particularly the Advisory Committee on Policy.
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.
These papers almost exclusively consist of records of his research and publications. His publications files contain drafts of various scientific papers, largely on secretions, correspondence regarding the reception of Die Aussere Sekretion der Verdauungsdrusen (1928) and negotiations surronding the publication of the Pavlov biography, and a biographical file containing a curriculum vitae, bibliography, and correspondence concerning appointments, honorary degrees, (1923-1948). Research materials comprise six volumes of reports on laboratory experiments and a file of daily laboratory reports (1923-1943). Babkin's professional correspondence with scholars and scientific associations covers the years 1928 to 1943. Most of the letters, incoming and drafts of outoing, concern research problems, consultation on draft articles by colleagues, and Babkin's own publications. There are also negotiations for speaking engagements, and a scattering of items on Babkin's social involvements, e.g. relief for Russian refugees, and letters from students.
The papers contain printed biographical materials: newsclippings on Craik's appointment as Dean (1889), his resignation (1901) and his death, as well as printed addresses by and in honour of him. There is also a typescript copy of the Medical Faculty's resolution at the time of Craik's death. A letter from Craik to a Miss Charleton (1904) thanks her for assistance in compiling an obituary.
The collection consists of autographed signed letters from multiple senders, representing authors, artists, politicians, and other figures from Canada and Europe. The letters were accumulated by the Rare Books and Special Collections unit of the McGill Library over many years and assembled into the collection.
Most of this material concerns the last illness and death of Robert Harvey Warden, and comprises letters of sympathy to himself and his wife, and following his death, condolences to his wife and children. The letters are from personal friends as well as from Presbyterian bodies. Printed obituaries are also included. Letters of condolence to Mrs Warden on the death of her daughter Lila Dunton are likewise accompanied by newspaper obituaries, 1908.
The major record of the McGill Chapter's early years is a register containing members' signatures, 1911-1969, and minutes from 1912 to 1932; a second minute book covers the period 1960-1969. Approximately two-thirds of the papers are secretary's files from 1961 to 1978 containing membership lists, correspondence concerning prospective members, circular letters announcing meetings, and correspondence with the headquarters of AOA. There are also receipts for initiation fees from 1954 to 1969.