McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
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James Richardson Donald Fonds
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Fonds
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CA MUA MG2043
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Physical description
70 cm of textual records
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Name of creator
(born 1891)
Biographical history
Born in Montréal, J. R. Donald graduated with a double degree in Arts and Applied Science from McGill in 1913. He joined his father's firm J. T. Donald and Co., of which he later became president. During World War II, Donald was director of the Chemicals and Explosives Production Branch of the Department of Munitions and Supply, and was one of the original members of the Joint War Production Board of the U.S. and Canada set up by the Hyde Park Agreement. For these services he was awarded an O. B. E. in 1943. Particularly knowledgeable on the subject of regional economic development in relation to chemical and mineral industries, Donald was special consultant to the Federal government on Cape Breton mines in 1965-1966. He was awarded the Chemical Industry Medal in 1951 and the Montreal Medal of the Chemical Institute of Canada in 1952. For a short history of J. T. Donald and Company, see section V. Business and Economy.
Custodial history
Scope and content
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.
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