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Date(s)
-
1929-1999 (Creation)
- Creator
- Symons, Thomas H.B.
Physical description area
Physical description
7.7 m of textual records
13 photographs
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Name of creator
Biographical history
Thomas H.B. Symons was born at Toronto, Ontario 30 May 1929, son of Harry Lutz Symons and Dorothy Sarah Bull. He was educated at Upper Canada College, University of Toronto (B.A. 1951), and Oxford University (B.A. 1953, M.A. 1957). He married Christine Ryerson 17 August 1963 and with her had three children: Mary, Ryerson and Jeffery. Professor Symons held many posts as an educator, including Assistant Dean of Men, Trinity College and Instructor of History, University of Toronto 1953-1955; and Dean, Devonshire House, University of Toronto 1955-63. His most notable post, however, was as the founding President and Vice-Chancellor of Trent University, 1961-1972. Symons also held many presidencies, chairmanships and memberships in various organizations, mainly dealing with the topics of education, Canadian studies, Indigenous rights and human rights. From 1971 to 1973, Symons was the President of the Canadian Association in Support of Native Peoples. He was the author of several reports and articles and contributed chapters to many books including: "Political Education in Canada" 1988; "Archives Libraries and the Canadian Heritage" 1983; "A Century of Canada's Arctic Islands, 1880-1980" 1981; "A History of Peel County" 1967; and "Native Rights in Canada" 1970. Professor Symons resided in Peterborough, Ontario until his death on January 1, 2021.
Custodial history
This fonds was created by and in the custody of Thomas H.B. Symons before it was donated to Trent University Archives.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of personal records of Thomas H.B. Symons relating to his career and to his family. Included are records of his wife, Christine Symons, his children, Mary, Jeffrey, and Ryerson Symons, his father, Harry Lutz Symons, including his father's manuscript for "Three Ships West", and his mother, Dorothy Sarah (Bull) Symons. Also included are materials relating to Professor Symons' activities on various boards and committees, addresses, articles, manuscripts, typescripts, and correspondence, documents and notes concerning Trent University, Association of Commonwealth Universities, Celanese Canada, Science Council of Canada, Department of External Affairs, Royal Society of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, etc.. Also included are photographs of Thomas H.B. Symons, Christine Symons, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
This fonds was donated by Thomas H.B. Symons.
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script note
Some of the correspondence in the fonds is in French.
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
None, except for Boxes 21 and 22 which are closed until 2026.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
For related records see: 82-015, 86-029, 86-030, 86-031, 86-032, 87-009, 88-016, and RG 1.
Accruals
This fonds along with 82-001, 97-019, 11-001, 15-006 , 17-001, 17-004 , 18-001, and 19-001 is an addition to 78-003.
General note
This fonds was originally accessioned as 81-005 and 87-003.
General note
Box 1
Personal records
Folder
- Biographical information, C.V.
- Wills, 1970, 1971, 1983; codicils, 1986 - Tom and Christine Symons; passport, 1981; wedding invitation - Tom and Christine Symons, 1963
- Memberships and subscriptions, 1974-1976
- Charitable donations, 1960-1973 (a sampling only)
- The Friends of Zac Phimister, charitable donation, 1968
- Books given as gifts
- Shares, investments, etc., ie. Debord Circus, James Morrison Brass Co., etc., 1964-1969
- Correspondence and information on University Halls of Residence, 1957-1961
- Correspondence and information on University Halls of Residence, 1957-1961
- "The Residence Hall and the University" for the Queen's Quarterly, 1958
- Sabbatical leave from Trent University, 1967; leave of absence from Trent, 1971
- Career opportunities, including invitations to consider presidential positions at various universities, Board of Governors positions, council appointments, director appointments, etc.
- Appointment to the Order of Canada, 1976-1977
- The Distinguished Service to Education Award of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, 1982
- The Distinguished Service to Education Award of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, 1982
- Honorary degree, University of Prince Edward Island, 1983
- Honorary degree, University of New Brunswick, 1972
- Personal correspondence, 1921, 1964-1966
- Personal correspondence, 1967-1969
- Personal correspondence, 1970
- Personal correspondence, 1971
- Personal correspondence, 1972
- Personal correspondence, 1973
- Personal correspondence, 1974
- Personal correspondence, 1975
- Personal correspondence, 1976
- Personal correspondence, 1977
- Personal correspondence, 1978
- Personal correspondence, 1979
- Personal correspondence, 1980
- Personal correspondence, 1981
- Personal correspondence, 1982
- Personal correspondence, 1983
- Personal correspondence, 1984
- Personal correspondence, 1985
- Personal correspondence, 1986
- Personal correspondence, undated
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc., 1963-1969 (Note: No attempt has been made to maintain all the letters of congratulations, condolence, or letters regarding Symons' donations; those letters which have been saved have been done so at random)
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc., 1970-1972
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc., 1973-1974
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc., 1975-1976
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc.,1977-1978
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc., 1979-1980
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc., 1981
- Invitations; programs; letters of congratulations, condolence, thanks, etc.,1982
Box 2
(Personal records, continued)
Folder
- Invitations, etc., 1983
- Invitations, etc., 1984
- Invitations, etc., 1985
- Invitations, etc., 1986
- Invitations, etc., undated
loose in box: 3 personal calendars, 1979, 1980, 1981
Box 3
(Personal records, continued)
11 daily journals, 1964-1974
Box 4
(Personal records, continued)
Folder
- Family greeting cards
- DEACCESSIONED: Mary Symons (daughter of THBS), correspondence, notes, school reports, etc., 1965-1986
- DEACCESSIONED: Ryerson Symons (son of THBS), correspondence, notes, school reports, etc., 1974-1985
- DEACCESSIONED: Jeffrey Symons (son of THBS), correspondence, notes, school reports, etc., 1969-1986
- Dorothy Sarah (Bull) Symons (mother of THBS), correspondence, 1964-1983
- Harry Lutz Symons (father of THBS), correspondence, biographical sketch, etc., 1971-1983
- "Cuba from Within", notes for two articles by Harry L. Symons, c.1920
- Two stories by "Windup" by Harry L. Symons, c.1929
- Draft textual material for "Ojibway Melody" by Harry L. Symons, c.1944
- Draft material for booklet on Ontario Agriculture by Harry L. Symons, c.1945
- Notes for two talks by Harry L. Symons, 1947
- Talk by Harry L. Symons to the Durham County Club of Toronto, 1948
- Pointe-au-Baril Islanders' Association, 1950
- "Seventh Heaven" typescript, by Harry L. Symons, 1958
- Arrangement with the publisher for the paperback editions of "Fences", 1974
- Manuscript material for "Friendship" by Harry L. Symons, n.d.
- Correspondence, notes, and draft manuscripts regarding "Three Ships West" by Harry L. Symons, 1939-1949
- Original manuscript of "Three Ships West" by Harry L. Symons, 1939
- Manuscripts concerning "Three Ships West" by Harry L. Symons
- "Columbian" manuscript by Harry L. Symons, 1943
- Rough notes and research material for "Columbian"
Box 5
Speeches, notes for remarks, notes for discussion, articles and papers, addresses, workshop participation, etc., 1957-1980
Box 6
Speeches, notes for remarks, notes for discussion, articles and papers, addresses, workshop participation, etc., 1957-1980
Box 7
Trent University - miscellaneous correspondence, etc., 1962-1986
Box 8
Trent University - correspondence, specific subjects
Folder
- Atlantic College, Wales, 1964-1971 (re establishment of Trent)
- Official opening ceremonies, October 17, 1964
- Presentation of 100,000th volume to the Trent library, October 22, 1968
- Dedication of Founders Walk, October 28, 1978
- Opening of Chemistry building, 1969
- Opening of Staging building (Biology, Psychology), 1968
- Opening of Lady Eaton College, 1969
- Visit of the Commissioner of Official Languages, 1980
- Visit of Dr. D.J. LeRoy as the Ashley Fellow, 1979
- Modris Eksteins, correspondence re History faculty position, 1969-1971
- History 10, 1968-1971
- History-Politics 400 seminar, 1967-1972
- Lectures in religion, 1968
- Arrangements to found a Native Studies Programme, 1968-1971
- Draft proposal for prospectus and syllabus for Canadian Studies 403, 1979-1980 ("Aspects of Canadian Intellectual and Cultural Life")
- Seminar on National Unity: "Quebec: Province or Nation", held at Trent, 1978
- Seminar on Science and Research in the Yukon and the North West Territories, held at Trent, 1979
- Guest lecture to Politics 301, 1980
- Guest lecture to Geography of Canada class, 1980
20: Talk to History 403 seminar: "Trent and the Canadian Intellectual Tradition", 1981 - Reception for Trent alumni at Marchbanks, 1980
- Medical community reception at Trent, 1969
- Ottawa dinner and reception, 1969
- Reception for part-time students, 1968
- Reception for prize-winners and scholars at Trent, 1968
- Visit of the Bishop of Peterborough, 1968
- Trent University Development Funds, 1968-1969
- Discussions and arrangements with the Flavelle Foundation, 1970-1972
- Rt. Hon. Lord Thomson of Fleet, correspondence, 1966
- Notes for remarks presenting Trent's Brief to the Ontario Committee on University Affairs, 1970
- Rowat-Hurubise Commission (Commission on the Relations between Universities and Government), 1969
- "The First Three Years", 1963-1966
- "A review of the goal-setting processes of Trent University from 1961 to 1979", a paper presented by Maria D. Zinck for the Dept. of Educational Theory, University of Toronto, 1980
- Thesis of Irene Matthews for EdD., O.I.S.E., re Trent, 1980
- Student demonstration at Trent, 1968
- Trent University, the Peterborough community, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 1966
- Robertson Davies correspondence, 1968-1969
Box 9
Peterborough and area - related records
Folder
- Miscellaneous correspondence, notes, etc., 1967-1984
- Edgar Boland correspondence regarding "History of the Diocese of Peterborough", 1973-1976
- Downtown redevelopment, Peterborough, 1965-1971
- Some links with the labour community, Peterborough, 1968-1969
- The Mayor's Committee on Growth, Development, and Employment, Peterborough, 1977
- Greater Peterborough Economic Council, 1978-1982
- Greater Peterborough Economic Council, 1978-19828. Restoration of Hutchison House, Peterborough, 1975-1978
- Opening of the 10th anniversary exhibition "Peterborough Collects" at the Peterborough Centennial Museum, 1977
- Opening of the Cobourg Horse Show, 1970
- Seminar on Development and Planning in the Peterborough Community, organized for the visit to Peterborough of the Duke of Edinburgh's Fifth Commonwealth Study Conference, 1980
- Canadian Club of Peterborough, 1972-1976
- Academy Theatre, Lindsay, 1964-1971
- Greater Peterborough Economic Council, 1978-1982Greater Peterborough Economic Council, 1978-1982, 1972-1974
- Greater Peterborough Economic Council, 1978-1982, 1975-1979
Box 10
Folder
1-5. Statistics Canada: National Advisory Committee on Educational Statistics, and, Evaluation Advisory Committee on the Education Statistics Program, correspondence, minutes, etc., 1985-1986
6-7. Journal of Canadian Studies, correspondence, etc., 1970; 1975-1980
8-23. Commission on Canadian Studies, correspondence, etc., 1972-1982, plus undated
Box 11
Association of Commonwealth Universities, minutes, correspondence, etc. 1964-1978 (Note: Folder 8 includes a photograph of THBS and two unidentified people)
Box 12
Association of Commonwealth Universities, minutes, correspondence, etc. , 1976-1982
Box 13
Association of Commonwealth Universities, minutes, correspondence, etc. , 1983-1985
Box 14
Association of Commonwealth Universities, minutes, correspondence, etc. , 1985-1989, plus undated
Box 15
Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for Canada, on matters relating to education, correspondence, documents, etc., 1976-1983
Box 16
Upper Canada College, correspondence, etc., 1958-1979
Box 17
Upper Canada College, correspondence, etc., 1977-1986
Box 18
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), 1976-1981
Box 19
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), 1980-1984
Box 20
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), 1983-1986
Box 21 & Box 22
Celanese Canada, including materials relating to Internationalist Fellowship, 1996-1999, and Social Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors, 1985-1999; also, correspondence, documents, etc., 1979-1999 (Note: Boxes 21 & 22 closed until 2026)
Box 23
Folder
1-5. Canadian Council on Social Development, correspondence, etc., 1965-1976
6-16. Canadian Conference on Social Development, correspondence, etc., 1973-1976
Box 24
Folder
- Association for Canadian Studies, 1979-1982
- C.M. Hincks Treatment Centre, correspondence, etc., 1966-1972
- Calgary Institute for the Humanities, Visiting Fellow, 1977
- Canada Studies Foundation, correspondence, etc., 1979-1981
- C.A.P.S. (Canadian Association for Planning Students) Conference, on "Canadian Content in Planning Education", 1977
- Canadian Federation for the Humanities, 1985
- Canadian Northern Studies Trust, correspondence, etc., 1984-1986
- Committee of Presidents of Universities of Ontario, 1970-1971
- Conference on Higher Education in Canada, 1977
- Conference on Philosophy in Canada, 1979
- Creation 2, 1971
- Destiny Canada Destinee Conference, 1977
- Rt. Hon. J.G. Diefenbaker, correspondence, 1968-1970
- Hon. Leslie Frost, correspondence and manuscript re the Scugog portage book, 1971
- Harvard Club of Toronto, 1967-1970
- John A. MacLaren Newspaper Awards, adjuducation of, 1973
- Lakefield College School, correspondence, etc., 1968-1979
- Laurentian University, correspondence, 1973
- World University Service of Canada, correspondence, etc., 1971-1979
- Native Canadian Centre, 1976-1978
- Northern Corridor Development Committee, correspondence, etc., 1967-1968
- Ontario Committee on the Costs of Education, meeting, 1972
- Ontario Advisory Committee on Confederation, colloquium on the first report, 1978
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, advisory role, 1979
- "Options" - Conference on the Future of the Canadian Federation, 1977
- Sir Sandford Fleming College, correspondence, etc., 1968-1983
- Social Science Federation of Canada, re meeting, 1986
28-29. St. Francis Xavier University, correspondence re meeting, etc., 1972-1973 - University of Manitoba Distinguished Professors Selection Committee, 1983-1984
- "The Twig", yearbook of the University of Toronto Schools, 1962 (article re THBS and Trent University)
32-38. Canada Council, appointment to, etc., 1976-1978
Box 25
United World Colleges, correspondence, etc., 1972-1981
Box 26
United World Colleges, correspondence, etc., 1981-1985 (Note: Folder 15 includes 4 photographs: 4 are of THBS in a classroom in Waterford, 1984; 1 is of THBS with 4 others in Swaziland, 1984; and one is of THBS, Christine Symons, and one unidentified man in Waterford, 1984)
Box 27
United World Colleges, correspondence, etc., 1985-1986 (Note: Folder 5 includes a photograph of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Corrado Belci, and one unidentified man). (Note: Folder 6 includes 2 photographs: one is of THBS and 3 unidentified people; one is of THBS, Christine Symons, and one unidentified woman)
Box 28
Folder
1-5. Department of External Affairs: Advisory Committee on Academic Relations, correspondence, etc., 1976-1982
- Commonwealth Standing Committee on Student Mobility, correspondence, etc., 1981-1986
7-9. Canadian Association in Support of Native Peoples (CASNP), formerly Indian-Eskimo Association of Canada (IEA), minutes, correspondence, etc., 1968-1976 - British-North American Committee, correspondence, photograph, etc., 1984-1985 (Note: this folder includes a photograph of THBS and Christine Symons aboard the Matchez)
11-15. Heritage Ontario Congress, minutes, correspondence, remarks, etc., 1971-1974
16-18. Cultural Diplomacy: Colloquium at the University of Leeds on UK-Canada relations, correspondence, manuscript draft, etc., 1980-1981
Box 29 & Box 30
Ontario Arts Council, minutes, correspondence, materials relating to "To Know Ourselves" (T.K.O.) committee, 1967-1983
Box 31
Folder
1-5. Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC): Canadian Commonwealth and Fellowship Committee, minutes, correspondence, etc., 1983-1986
6-10. AUCC: Selection Committee for Canadian Studies Visting Professor in Japan, and, Canadian Studies Fellowship in the United Kingdom, correspondence, etc., 1977-1985
- AUCC, correspondence, minutes, etc., 1968-1986
12-17. University of Toronto: Log book "Fartle's Close", Uxbridge, Ontario, 1961-1962 (references to Devonshire House); articles by THBS: "Devonshire House", "The University in Summer", "The Planning and Operation of Some New Residential Colleges at the University of Toronto"; report of the Higher Education Group to the Dean of Graduate Studies, 1957-1976
18-21. Trinity College, Toronto, correspondence, minutes, etc., 1963-1978
22-24. Oriel College, Oxford, correspondence, etc., 1964-1986Box 32
Ontario Human Rights Commission, minutes, conferences, correspondence, etc., 1970-1979; also includes Special Advisor on Human Rights to the Secretary of State for Canada, 1982-1984 (Note: Folder 14 includes a photograph of Valerie Kasurak)
Box 33
Folder
1-2. Conference of Independent Schools, consultant to, correspondence, etc., 1984-1986
3-6. Royal Society of Arts, correspondence, etc., 1964-1975
7-9. Royal Society of Canada, correspondence, "Arctic and Canadian Culture" colloquium, etc., 1977-1982
10-11. First Canadian Conference on Multiculturalism, correspondence, paper, etc., 1973
- Order of St. Lazarus: Commission on Canadian Unity, correspondence, minutes, etc., 1976-1978
13-18. Science Council of Canada, consultant to, correspondence, presentation, minutes, etc., 1978-1984
19-20. Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies, paper given, correspondence, etc., 1979-1986
21-24. Australia-Canada Colloquium, Canberra, correspondence, paper, etc., 1981-1985
Box 34 & Box 35
French language issues, including the following: Franco-Ontarian Community (1971-1978), Cornwall School Question (1972-1975), Sturgeon Falls School Question (1971), Ministerial Commission on French Language Education in Ontario (1966-1973), Ministerial Commission on French Language Secondary Education (1971-1972), Languages of Instruction Commission of Ontario (1973), and miscellaneous correspondence (1973-1983)
Box 36
Folder
- Advisory Committee on Cultural Policy to the Secretary of State for Canada, correspondence, etc., 1979-1980
- Amnesty International, correspondence, etc., 1973-1980
3-8. Impact Research - Study on Native Employment in Government, correspondence, report, etc., 1975-1977
9-12. John Graves Simcoe Foundation, correspondence, etc., 1969-1976
13-16. Ontario Medical Foundation, minutes, correspondence, etc., 1975-1976 - Inter-Council Coordinating Committee (Ministry of State. Science and Technology. Canada), minutes, notes, etc., 1980
18-19. Progressive Conservative party politics, correspondence, etc. relating to the PC party, political issues, etc., 1969-1985 (Note: Folder 18 also includes a photograph of a large formal gathering of people seated at long dinner tables; a speaker stands at the front of the room)Box 37
Miscellaneous non-personal correspondence, 1961-1979
Box 38
Miscellaneous non-personal correspondence, 1980-1982
Box 39
Miscellaneous non-personal correspondence, 1983-1986, and undated