Fonds 15-006 - Thomas H.B. Symons fonds. 2015 additions

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Thomas H.B. Symons fonds. 2015 additions

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    Fonds

    Repository

    Trent University Archives

    Reference code

    15-006

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    Dates of creation area

    Date(s)

    • 1962-2013 (Creation)
      Creator
      Symons, Thomas H.B.

    Physical description area

    Physical description

    4.2 m of textual records

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    Name of creator

    Symons, Thomas H.B.
    (1929-2021)

    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

    Fonds was in the custody of Professor Thomas H.B. Symons before being donated to Trent University Archives in 2014.

    Scope and content

    Fonds includes personal and business correspondence, notes, reports, minutes, invitations, and other documents. Major categories include Association of Commonwealth Universities; Association for Commonwealth Studies; British-North American Committee; Symons Trust; Symons Lecture on the State of Canadian Confederation, Confederation Centre, Prince Edward Island; Peterborough, Police Chairmanship, Panel on the Trent-Severn Waterway; Trent University; Education; Statistics, Canadian Studies, Bilingualism, Northern Canada; Ontario Heritage Trust; Historica; Bata Shoe Museum; various political and public affairs; and Downsview Park.

    Notes area

    Physical condition

    Immediate source of acquisition

    Fonds acquired in 2014 from Professor Thomas H.B. Symons via Kathryn McLeod.

    Arrangement

    Fonds was arranged while in the office of Professor Symons and before being donated. A file list was supplied at the time of the donation and was used to facilitate creation of the finding aid. Folder headings and contents have been retained as received.

    Language of material

      Script of material

        Location of originals

        Availability of other formats

        Restrictions on access

        None

        Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

        Finding aids

        Associated materials

        Related materials

        Accruals

        This fonds along with 82-001, 97-019, 01-003, and 11-001 is an addition to 78-003.

        General note

        Box 1

        Commonwealth

        Folder

        1. ACU (Association of Commonwealth Universities) Symons Fellowship: correspondence & documents, 1988-2008.

        2. ACU Symons Medal: correspondence related to establishment, 1972-1989.

        3. ACU Symons Medal: correspondence related to funding, 1972-2009.

        4. ACU Symons Medal, general correspondence, 1986-2008.

        5. General correspondence & documents, 1981.

        6. General correspondence & documents, 1982-1985.

        7. General correspondence & documents, 1986-2007.

        8. General correspondence & documents, 2008-2010.

        9. Association for Commonwealth Studies: general correspondence, 1999-2010.

        10. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2003 conference documents.

        11. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2004 symposium.

        12. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2005 conference proceedings & organizational documents. (1/4)

        13. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2005 conference proceedings & organizational documents. (2/4)

        14. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2005 conference proceedings & organizational documents. (3/4)

        15. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2005 conference proceedings & organizational documents. (4/4)

        16. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2007 conference documents. (1/2)

        17. Association for Commonwealth Studies: 2007 conference documents. (2/2)

        18. Association for Commonwealth Studies: correspondence with Sir Hugh Springer, 1992-1993

        Box 2

        Folder

        1. Institute of Commonwealth Studies: correspondence & notes, 2001-2008. (1/2)

        2. Institute of Commonwealth Studies: correspondence & notes, 2001-2008. (2/2)

        3. Institute of Commonwealth Studies meeting, 2007.

        4. Commonwealth of Learning: correspondence & documents, 1983-2011.

        5. Council for Education in the Commonwealth: correspondence & documents, 1983-2011.

        6. Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan: correspondence, 1985.

        7. Commonwealth 2003 Education Conference: documents, including notes for article in Higher Education Supplement.

        8. Association of Commonwealth Universities: correspondence, 1968-2010. (1/2)

        9. Association of Commonwealth Universities: correspondence, 1968-2010. (2/2)

        10. Proposed defunding of Commonwealth Scholarships: correspondence & documents, 2006-05/2008.

        11. Proposed defunding of Commonwealth Scholarships: correspondence & documents, 06/2008.

        12. Proposed defunding of Commonwealth Scholarships: correspondence & documents, 07/2008.

        13. Proposed defunding of Commonwealth Scholarships: correspondence & documents, 08/2008-2012.

        14. Reaction to Professor Symons' paper on the state of Canadian-UK cultural relations, 1980-1981.

        15. Notes for an address before the Council for Education in the Commonwealth, 1984.

        16. Various annotated articles on the UK, 1989-2002.

        British-North American Committee

        1. Correspondence & documents, 1987-2001.

        2. Meeting attendance records, 1987-2004.

        3. Annotated articles & correspondence, 2002-2004.

        4. Meetings, correspondence, & articles, 2005.

        5. Documents, meetings, & correspondence, 2006.

        6. Correspondence & conference planning, 01/2007-05/2007.

        Box 3

        Folder

        1. Correspondence & conference planning, 06/2007-09/2007.

        2. Conference planning & proceedings, 10/2007-12/2007.

        3. Correspondence & documents, 2008-2009.

        Box 4

        Folder

        1. Meetings, correspondence, & articles, 2008-2009.

        2. Correspondence & documents, 2010-2013.

        3. Meetings, October 2006

        4. Meetings, May 2010

        5. Meetings, October 2008, May 2009

        Symons Trust

        1. Correspondence & documents, 1972-1989.

        2. Correspondence & documents, 1990-1999.

        3. Correspondence & documents, 2000.

        4. Correspondence & documents, 2001.

        5. Correspondence & documents, 2002.

        6. Correspondence & documents, 2003.

        7. Correspondence & documents, 2004-2005.

        8. Correspondence & documents, 2006-2012.

        9. Applications for research funding, 2001.

        10. Applications for research funding, 2002.

        11. Applications for research funding, 2003.

        12. Applications for research funding, 2005.

        Box 5

        Folder

        1. Applications for research funding, 2006.

        2. Applications for research funding, 2008.

        3. Application for research funding, 2010.

        4. Applications for research funding, 2013.

        Symons Lecture on the State of Canadian Confederation, Confederation Centre, Prince Edward

        1. PEI: various correspondence & documents, 1980-2010.

        2. PEI: Shaw’s Hotel, correspondence & documents, 1970-2008.

        3. Confederation Centre: correspondence & documents, 2004-2011.

        4. Confederation Centre: notes & agenda for meeting of the board, 2010.

        5. Confederation Centre: meeting of the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust, annotated proceedings, 2010.

        6. Confederation Centre: general correspondence & documents, 1990-2012. (1/2)

        7. Confederation Centre: general correspondence & documents, 1990-2012. (2/2)

        8. Confederation Centre: notes & documents for board Annual General Meeting & National Vision Committee Meeting, 2013.

        9. Confederation Centre: editorial notes on draft of “Confederation Birthplace Landscapes” by C. Hennessy, 2000s.

        10. Symons Lecture: correspondence & documents, 2004-2005.

        11. Symons Lecture: correspondence, 2006.

        12. Symons Lecture: correspondence, 2007.

        Box 6

        Folder

        1. Symons Lecture: correspondence, 2008.

        2. Symons Lecture: correspondence, 2009.

        3. Symons Lecture: correspondence & articles, 2010-2011.

        4. Symons Lecture: correspondence & articles, 2012.

        Box 7

        Peterborough, Police Chairmanship, Panel on the Trent-Severn Waterway

        Folder

        1. Civic involvement: correspondence & clippings (including keys to City), 1996-2011.

        2. Local heritage events/initiatives: correspondence & articles, 1992-2013.

        3. Canadian Canoe Museum: correspondence & documents, 2001-2002.

        4. Peterborough Theatre Guild & One-Act Festival: correspondence & documents, 1964-1969.

        5. Correspondence related to the fate of King Edward School, 2004-2005.

        6. Correspondence related to preservation of “The Commoner”, 2006-2008.

        7. Panel on the Trent-Severn Waterway: draft report, notes, & correspondence, 2007.

        8. Panel on the Trent-Severn Waterway: correspondence & documents, 2006-2011.

        9. Panel on the Trent-Severn Waterway: Hague Point Park debate background documents & public input, 2004.

        10. Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board: correspondence & documents, 2006-2008.

        11. Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board: hiring of Chief M. Rodd, 2008.

        12. Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board: proposals & reports, 2009.

        13. Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board: correspondence & documents, 2009.

        14. Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board, correspondence & documents, 2010-2011.

        Box 8

        Trent University

        Folder

        1. Bagnani Endowment: correspondence & documents, 1997-2010.

        2. Appointment as Vanier Professor: correspondence, 1979-1980.

        3. Unveiling of Symons presidential portrait: correspondence & documents, 1989.

        4. “Canada on Display” conference documents & correspondence, 2007.

        5. General news clippings & correspondence, 1962-1974.

        6. Support for awards & trust funds, 2006-2010.

        7. Honorary degree recipients: correspondence, 1997-2010.

        8. Faculty & staff: documents & correspondence, 1981-2009.

        9. Trent Colleges & the college system: correspondence & articles, 1986-2012.

        10. DNA Cluster Project: documents & correspondence, 2004-2007.

        11. Proposed hydro development, 2005-2008.

        12. Administration & governance: documents & correspondence, 1986-2011.

        13. Symons Seminar: correspondence, 2005-2011.

        14. Thesis supervision: K. McLeod, 2008-2009.

        15. Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1997-2011.

        16. Academic events: invitations & notifications, 2005-2011.

        17. Miscellaneous documents, 2008.

        18. Miscellaneous publications, 2006-2008.

        19. Graduate thesis supervision, 2007-2008.

        20. Sale of land & privatization: documents & correspondence, 2006-2008.

        21. Frost Centre: correspondence & documents, 2006-2010.

        Box 9

        Education

        Folder

        1. Oriel College, Oxford: correspondence, support, 1993-2013.

        2. Robinson College, Cambridge: correspondence, 1993-2007.

        3. Symons Fund at St. Boniface College, MB: correspondence & documents, 1993-2005.

        4. Symons Award at McMaster University: correspondence & documents, 2004-2010.

        5. Education: general correspondence & articles, 2006-2009.

        6. Canadian Educational Standards Institute: correspondence, 2006-2009.

        7. Education: correspondence with/related to elementary schools, including Symons Awards/Prizes (Upper Canada College, Lakefield, Havergal, Crescent) 2001-2009.

        8. Education: correspondence with Canadian universities re: Symons Awards, 2006-2009.

        9. Education: annotated articles on Canadian higher education, 1970-1990.

        Box 10

        Folder

        1. Seminar on Planning & Management of Higher Education in Federal Systems: correspondence, 1981.

        2. Notes for remarks made at Nicholls College School, Buffalo, NY, 1991.

        3. Notes & correspondence related to remarks given at installation of the president of Mt. Allison University, 2006.

        4. Canadian Academic Centre in Italy & The Canadian Mediterranean Institution: documents & correspondence, 1988-1989.

        5. St. John’s College, University of Manitoba: correspondence, 1992-2010.

        6. Symons Award at York University, Toronto: correspondence & documents, 1975-2006.

        7. Education: general correspondence, 1981-1982.

        8. Massey College: correspondence, 2002-2011.

        9. “To Be a President”: documents & correspondence on the nature of the university president, 1969-1987. (1/3)

        10. “To Be a President”: documents & correspondence on the nature of the university president, 1969-1987. (2/3)

        11. “To Be a President”: documents & correspondence on the nature of the university president, 1969-1987. (3/3)

        12. United World Colleges/Pearson College: documents & correspondence, 1980-2010.

        13. United World Colleges: correspondence related to Professor Symons’ retirement as Chair, 1986.

        14. Education: general correspondence, 1977-2005. (1/3)

        15. Education: general correspondence, 1977-2005. (2/3)

        16. Education: general correspondence, 1977-2005. (3/3)

        17. Education: general correspondence & annotated articles, 2000-2006.

        Statistics, Canadian Studies, Bilingualism, Northern Canada

        1. Statistics Canada: documents & correspondence, 1985-2012. (1/3)

        2. Statistics Canada: documents & correspondence, 1985-2012. (2/3)

        3. Statistics Canada: documents & correspondence, 1985-2012. (3/3)

        Box 11

        Folder

        1. Statistics: correspondence & documents related to the elimination of the long-form census, 2010. (1/3)

        2. Statistics: correspondence & documents related to the elimination of the long-form census, 2010. (2/3)

        3. Statistics: correspondence & documents related to the elimination of the long-form census, 2010. (3/3)

        4. Statistics: annotated articles related to the elimination of the long-form census, 2010.

        5. Statistics: Professor Symons' requests for statistical publications, 2006-2008.

        6. Statistics: report of the Statistics Canada Panel, 2006.

        7. Statistics Canada Review Panel: correspondence & findings, 2006-2009.

        8. Canadian Studies: general correspondence, including undated documents, 2000-2010.

        9. Canadian Studies: annotated documents on Canadian Studies abroad, 1980s.

        10. Canadian Studies: general documents & correspondence, 1977-1999.

        11. Canadian Studies: general correspondence, 1981.

        12. Canadian Studies: Colloquium on Canadian Studies, notes & documents, 1979.

        13. Canadian Studies: Commission on Canadian Studies, annotated documents, drafts, & correspondence, 1970s.

        14. Bilingualism: correspondence on establishment of Symons Award in Cornwall, ON, 1973-1989.

        15. Northern Canada: annotated documents & correspondence, 1986-2011.

        16. Northern Canada: chairmanship of the Canada and Polar Science Conference, remarks & correspondence, 1994.

        17. Northern Canada: documents & correspondence relating to several initiatives, 1990.

        18. Northern Canada: Meta Incognita Project, steering committee meeting minutes & records, 2000-2003.

        19. Northern Canada: Meta Incognita Project, correspondence & documents, 1990-2011.

        Heritage

        1. Ontario Heritage Trust: basic documents & appointment to the Board, 2004-2011.

        2. Ontario Heritage Trust: correspondence & documents, 2006-2009.

        Box 12

        Folder

        1. Ontario Heritage Trust: Kingsmill Plaque unveiling, 2010.

        2. Ontario Heritage Trust: correspondence & documents, 2010.

        3. Ontario Heritage Trust: correspondence & articles, 2011-2012.

        4. Historica: meeting notes, correspondence, & minutes, 2007.

        5. Historica: Council meeting minutes, 2007.

        6. Historica: correspondence & notes, 2002-2010.

        Box 13

        Folder

        1. Heritage: general correspondence, documents, & notes, 1995-2007.

        2. Heritage: general correspondence, documents, & notes, 2007-2010.

        3. Heritage: National Meeting on History and Commemorative Integrity, correspondence & notes, 1995.

        4. Heritage: “Giving the Past A Future” Canadian History Conference, notes & documents, 1999.

        5. Heritage: editorial notes on “The Wartime Letters of Leslie and Cecil Frost” by R. B. Fleming, 2005.

        6. Heritage: Historic Sites & Monuments Board, correspondence & documents, 1983-2005.

        7. Heritage: Historic Sites & Monuments Board, annotated documents related to Marconi commemoration, 1980s.

        8. Heritage: Historic Sites & Monuments Board, correspondence, 1987-1992.

        9. Heritage: Historic Sites & Monuments Board, remarks at various events, 1990-1995.

        10. Heritage: Historic Sites & Monuments Board, “The Place of History” Symposium, 1994.

        11. Heritage: correspondence related to the preservation of Prime Minsters’ grave sites, 1974-1994.

        12. Heritage: correspondence & notes re: John Ryerson in the Canadian Dictionary of Biography, 1970.

        13. Heritage: correspondence & notes re: George Ridout in the Canadian Dictionary of Biography, 1970-1975.

        14. Heritage: correspondence & notes re: William Ryerson in the Canadian Dictionary of Biography.

        Various

        1. Bata Shoe Museum: correspondence, 1994-2008.

        2. Bata Shoe Museum: correspondence & documents, 2006-2013.

        3. Bata Shoe Organization: board meeting notes & correspondence, 1998.

        4. Corporate: Celanese Canada Tribute Dinner to Professor Symons, 1994.

        5. Corporate: Celanese International Fellowship Program, documents, 1990-2003.

        6. Corporate: Fishery Products International, correspondence & annotated articles, 2002.

        7. Awards & Honours: documents & correspondence, 1982-2004.

        8. Awards & Honours: honorary degrees from Concordia University & Dawson College, correspondence, 1981.

        9. Literature: Winnie the Pooh, annotated articles & correspondence, 1984-2004.

        Box 14

        Folder

        1. Stephen Leacock Associates: back issues of “Newspacket”, 1976-2008.

        2. Stephen Leacock: correspondence & documents re: medal, museum, 1969-1994.

        3. Stephen Leacock: correspondence & documents re: medal, museum. 1995-2011.

        4. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1981-1997.

        5. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1998-2012.

        6. Correspondence: reference requests & communications with past students, 1983-2011.

        7. Correspondence: past students, 1994-2011.

        8. Correspondence: research & interview requests, 1992-2009.

        9. Royal Canadian Military Institute: correspondence & documents, 2004-2007.

        10. Heritage: editorial input on “A History of the Vote in Canada”, 1997.

        11. Heritage: establishment of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, correspondence & documents, 1986.

        12. Heritage: Canadian Heraldic Authority, notes & correspondence, 1979-1990.

        13. Heritage: correspondence related to Canadian archives, 1980-1981.

        14. Heritage: attendance at Ditchley Foundation Conference on Architectural Heritage, 1993.

        15. Heritage: Parks Canada Roundtable, correspondence & proceedings, 2003.

        Various Political & Public Affairs

        1. Broadview Press: board of directors, correspondence & documents, 2006-20010.

        2. Canadian Crown: correspondence with HRH the Prince of Wales, including Royal visits, 1981-2010.

        3. Canadian Crown: general correspondence & annotated documents, 1991-2011.

        4. Canadian Culture: general correspondence & annotated articles, 1981-2010.

        5. Human Rights: general correspondence & annotated articles, 2004-2010.

        Box 15

        Folder

        1. Human Rights: capital punishment, annotated articles, 1970s-2000s. (1/4)

        2. Human Rights: capital punishment, annotated articles, 1970s-2000s. (2/4)

        3. Human Rights: capital punishment, annotated articles, 1970s-2000s. (3/4)

        4. Human Rights: capital punishment, annotated articles, 1970s-2000s. (4/4)

        5. Human Rights: capital punishment, various news clippings, 1990-2009.

        6. Politics: Progressive Conservative Party, correspondence & documents, 1970-1980.

        7. Politics: various annotated clippings on Canadian affairs, 2001-2008.

        8. Politics: correspondence with Charles Taylor re: “Radical Tories”, 1981.

        Box 16

        Folder

        1. Politics: annotated articles on the Free Trade debate, 1980s.

        2. Politics: Progressive Conservative Party, correspondence & documents, 1990-2007.

        3. Politics: Canadian public life, political support & public appointments, correspondence, 1967-2008.

        4. Public Service: Ontario Business Ambassador, correspondence & documents, 1996-1999.

        5. Public Service: Canada Council, annotated documents, 1974-1977.

        6. Order of Ontario: correspondence & nominations, 2004-2011.

        7. Order of Canada: documents & correspondence related to membership & nominations, 1986-2011.

        8. Royal Society of Canada: correspondence & documents, 1986.

        9. Royal Society of Canada: Committee on Education, notes, documents, & correspondence, 1977-1979.

        Downsview Park Documents

        1. Downsview Park: preservation & development, correspondence & documents, 1997-2011. (1/4)

        2. Downsview Park: preservation & development, correspondence & documents, 1997-2011. (2/4)

        3. Downsview Park: preservation & development, correspondence & documents, 1997-2011. (3/4)

        4. Downsview Park: preservation & development, correspondence & documents, 1997-2011. (4/4)

        5. Downsview Park: correspondence & documents, 2006-2010.

        6. Downsview Park: annotated articles, 1997-2011.

        7. Downsview Park: notes on Central Park as a template, 2000s.

        Box 17

        Loose items:

        “A Sustainable Urban Park for the 21st Century”. Summary of the Corporate Plan 2006-07 – 2010-11, Capital Budget 2006-07, Operating Budget 2006-07 (June 2006).

        “A Sustainable Urban Park for the 21st Century” (Jan. 2006).

        “A Sustainable Urban Park for the 21st Century” (Sept. 2005).

        “A Sustainable Urban Park for the 21st Century” (Aug. 2005).

        “Creating a Sustainable Urban Park for the 21st Century” (April 2005).

        Toronto Aerospace Museum – Museum Development Study (March 2005).

        Downsview Lands Project – Building Inventory (Nov. 1998).

        Downsview Park Board of Directors & Management Annual Retreat (Oct. 2006).

        Downsview Park Inc. Annual Report (2003-2004).

        Downsview Park Annual Report (2005-2006).

        Downsview Park Board of Directors Meeting, (Dec. 2006).

        Downsview Park Director’s Manual (2003).

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