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.

The fonds consists of correspondence, course material, research and interview notes, articles, speeches, transcripts, grant applications, and other records pertaining to Dale Thomson's activities as a researcher, professor, journalist and Liberal Party activist from the 1940s to 1999 in Canada, The United States and other parts of the world. There is also a considerable amount of original, primary source material collected by Dale Thomson for his books. The fonds is composed of the following series:

1. Research Activities
2. Teaching and Administrative Activities
3. Political Activities

Although there are three separate series, it must be noted that some information contained in series files is often relevant to more than that area of activity. This is especially true of correspondence files.

Murray's pocket diaries for 1883-1934 provide a brief record of his activities, social engagements, letters, visits and the weather. The earliest volumes, covering his last years as an undergraduate at Dalhousie and the final ones written after his retirement are the most detailed.

Fonds contains a transcript of Keys' radio broadcast on "Radio in the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky" (1931) and files of correspondence with university, military, and government officials concerning the McGill Radio Mechanics Training Course (1941-1945). There are also a few teaching materials from this course.

Fonds consists of papers (originals and photocopies) comprising the drafts, both English and French, of the Report of the Royal Committee of Enquiry on Education in Québec (the "Parent Commission"), 1962. Also included is a file of notes, transcriptions of printed articles and archival documents, as well as some original material pertaining to the history of the McGill Normal School (1881-1943).

The David L. Johnston fonds consists of mainly of correspondence for Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law, 1996-1998.

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.

MacFarlane's 1966 research project on the impact of industrial mechanization in Brazil is documented by notes, correspondence, reports, articles and financial records.

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 contains copies of two essays, “My Life as a Student and Teacher at McGill: 1934-1974 (1974)”, and “Innovation and Personal Strategies: A Study of Work in a New Outpatient Clinic”, co-authored with Anita Heller (1976).