Fonds comprises research materials, manuscript essays, teaching materials, and some private correspondence and obituary materials. Research materials largely stem from Bieler's period as a graduate student at McGill and Cambridge. These consist of solutions to mechanics problems (1919), lecture notes for a course on tenser calculus by Prof. Gillson of Cambridge (1922-1923) and five notebooks containing experimental observations at the Cavendish Laboratory and reading notes concerning atomic physics (1919-1925). Amongst a large collection of Bieler's off-print articles are two manuscripts for papers on "Fermi-Dirac Statistical Mechanics and some applications" and "A new method for the detection and investigation of ore deposit by means of electric currents" (ca 1928). Bieler's lecture notes are available for a university course in statics (1926-27) and for a course on telegraphy he gave to the McGill C.O.T.C. (1920).

Apart from a memo on differential calculus from L.V. King (1926), Bieler's private correspondence consists of seven letters written by Bieler to Prof. A.S. Eve from Australia, describing his work on the mining expedition. These letters form part of a file of letters of tribute to Bieler and other obituary materials assembled by A.S. Eve. (1919-31). As well, there are a few letters to and from Bieler's family concerning the donation of his library to McGill.

The fonds consists chiefly of student notebooks kept by F. Clarke Fraser while an undergraduate at Acadia University during the late 1930s-1940. They represent a variety of subjects, including zoology, physics, mathematics, and biology. Two notebooks date from his Med IV year (1949-1950) at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine, one with ophthalmology lab and clinical notes and reading and lecture notes, and one an obstetrical diary from the Montreal Maternity Hospital. Also included is a later reprint of an article (published 1957), loose notes, and a photograph of F. Clarke Fraser and a companion dining at the Montreal restaurant Au lutin qui bouffe, famous for its resident piglet, which restaurant-goers were often photographed holding and feeding.

Fonds documents Denstedt's research work and professional activities; a much smaller percentage is devoted to his teaching work and personal interests.

The research materials comprise notebooks, reports, and general files. Approximately 40 notebooks record experiments, mostly on blood preservation, but also on basal metabolism, lipids, proteins, serum, and urine and fecal analysis (ca 1936-1947). An additional 40 general notebooks cover not only the aforementioned topics, but also more general questions such as organic chemistry, amino acids, steroids, carcinogens, and nutrition. There is also a binder of historical background material on blood preservation. The results of this research are distilled in approximately 90 progress, interim, and final reports (1943-1963) on blood preservation, anemia, haemmorhage, agglutination, vascular fragility, and hemophilia, as well as the effects of silica, insecticides and cortisone on tissues. These are supplemented by copies of other researchers' reports on these topics (1952-1956), and by 26 reports of various committees and sub-committees of the United States National Research Council on blood and related problems, and on shock (1949-1963). A group of 50 research files contains typescripts, reports and reprints on subjects of research interest to Denstedt, particularly blood (1940-1965) and the financial side of the operations of his laboratory are illustrated by two cashbooks (1963-1966). The wider context of Denstedt's professional life is revealed by general files, approximately 300 in number, containing correspondence with colleagues, scientific and medical associations, learned journals, and granting agencies, work reports from assistants and students, and reports and clippings on subjects of special research interest, as well as on wider social and scientific issues, e.g. pollution, chemical warfare, public health and food supply. A special series of files documents Denstedt's activities for the International Society of Endocrinology (1965-1971), particularly during their third international conference (1968). There are a large number of reprints, printed reports and laboratory equipment manuals.

Denstedt's role as a university teacher is reflected in a few files of correspondence from the general series noted above with university and faculty officers, and with the McGill Association of University Teachers (1955-1971), and by some reports of Senate Committees. There is also a file of Denstedt's letters of recommendation for appointments or changes of status (1960-1965). Instructional materials include basic notes (ca 1950) for Denstedt's course in endocrinology, and approximately 2,000 slides. A few papers and theses by students are also included in this series.

Personal papers comprise lecture notes for courses on physical and biological chemistry dating from Denstedt's years as a graduate student at McGill, and a large collection of printed materials on the history of McGill, and McGill scientists, probably assembled in connection with his book, A History of Biochemistry at McGill.

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 fonds contains Macfarlane's papers, concentrating on his geological research and his professional work in mining. They comprise: geological and chemical notes made in Germany and England, 1855; geological notes on New Brunswick, 1855-1856, the copper mines of Upper Telemarken, Norway, 1861, Quebec, 1861-1862, and Eldorado Canyon, Nevada, 1887; laboratory journals and records of results, 1851-1856, 1859-1882, 1884-1889; and letterbooks, notebooks and memoranda on geology, 1863-1899.

Apart from student laboratory notes in physics, 1919, Shaw's papers consist of printed and mimeographed reports on a miscellaneous group of chemical topics, but with a significant percentage on ethylene, propylene, acetylene and ethers, together with some of Shaw's manuscript notes and charts. Also included is his report to Canadian Electro Products on acetaldol formation.