McMaster University Office of the President fonds. – 1936-1981; predominant 1957-1980. – 13.6 m of textual records and graphic material.

McMaster University was founded in 1887 in Toronto, Ont. and named after Senator William McMaster who had bequeathed sufficient funding to endow an Christian institution of higher learning. Until 1957 the Governors of the University were elected by the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec. In that year, the University became a non-denominational institution in Hamilton, Ont. where it had been re-located in 1930. The head of McMaster University was given the title of Chancellor until 1950 when George P. Gilmour was given the title of President and Vice-Chancellor and a new Chancellor, E. Carey Fox was chosen. Gilmour had been Chancellor of McMaster University since 1941.

Since 1950 seven presidents have headed McMaster University: George P. Gilmour, 1950-1961; Henry G. Thode, 1961-1972; Arthur N. Bourns, 1972-1980; Alvin A. Lee, 1980-1990; Geraldine A. Kenney-Wallace, 1990-1995; Peter J. George, 1995-2010; Patrick Deane, 2010-. This fonds contains material relating to the first three presidents: Most pre-1957 material is located in the Divinity College archives. There is some material relating to Alvin A. Lee before he became president

The fonds has been organized into five series: Council, committees, and reports; Faculties, departments, and administrative units; Convocation; Correspondence; Speeches, reports, printed materials, photographs, appointment books. Reports in the first series are either issued by the committees described therein or are annual reports while reports in the last series are various reports received at the Office of the President.

See also separate Arthur N. Bourns fonds and Henry G. Thode fonds. These fonds concern their non-presidential work as university professors and scientists. There is also a separate fonds for Alvin A. Lee which contains some material before his presidency but mainly has presidential material.

Title based on content of fonds.
Fonds was acquired from the Office of the President over many years, predominantly from 1987-1989 as Accession 19-1989.
Finding aid available in hard copy and electronically.
No access restrictions.
Further accruals are expected.

Contact: archives@mcmaster.ca
Last Reviewed: January 6, 2005
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