The fonds is arranged into two series: correspondence and manuscripts received, and layout and paste-up materials for issues 1-5, Summer 1980 to Spring 1982. Researchers are also directed to the separate David McFadden fonds.

The fonds consists of two accruals. The first accrual contains correspondence, manuscripts of typescripts of his books, articles, reviews and other writings, speeches, newspaper clippings, artwork, photographs, sound recordings and manuscripts. There are also some research notes, correspondence, photographs and news clippings, artwork, photographs, sound recordings and moving images. The second accrual (15-2005) consists of six audio cassettes.

The collection consists of 6 letters, only one of which is from Stead. There is a letter from Arthur Sherbo who enclosed three of his articles on Christopher Smart. There is one manuscript page by H.W. Powell, a writer of nature notes for the Oxford Times and a typescript biographical sketch of Stead by his son, Julian. There is a pen and ink caricature of Stead done by R. D. Usherwood at Worcester College in 1931; a few news clippings, and an issue of Alumnae Journal of Trinity College which published an article by Stead about T.S. Eliot whom he had baptized into the Church of England. The collection was supplemented by books by Stead and two books belonging to him which have been catalogued.

Fonds consists primarily of 6 volumes of diaries, written by Stephens from 1852 to 1881 (with gaps). The diaries provide significant insight into Stephens’ life, and record events in Owen Sound and throughout Ontario; none of the diaries cover the period when Stephens was writing the poem, Hamilton, though he does refer to the work from time to time. The diaries do include several other poems composed by Stephens. The fonds also includes a charcoal drawing of Stephens, a copy of Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress that was read to Stephens as a child, biographical information, documents relating to various family members, and other material.

The collection contains one item, a one-page manuscript containing a two stanza poem, "The Two Flocks", signed by the author and slip-cased in a leather container.

The fonds contains photographs, a post card, and other material.

The collection consists of letters and cards. There are letters from: C. L. Dodgson (1832-1898), mathematician and author, also known as Lewis Carroll, 1873-74; Sir Francis Darwin (1848-1925), botantist and son of Charles Darwin; Sir James George Frazer (1854-1941), social anthropologist and author of The Golden Bough; Andrew Lang (1844-1912), scholar, folk-lorist, and author; Bernard Shaw (1856-1946), playwright; Arnold Bennett (1867-1931), novelist and playwright; and Sir Charles Scott Sherrington (1857-1952), neurologist and Nobel laureate. The collection also contains a letter from Arnold Bennett to Ellery Sidgwick, the editor of the Atlantic Monthly, introducing W.H.R. Rivers to him; an autograph of H. G. Wells (1866-1946), author, and other documents, including two sketches, one in pencil and one in pen and ink. There is also a typescript titled "Memories of Lewis Carroll" by Katharine Rivers, a sister of W. H. R. Rivers. The typescript was published in Library Research News, 3, no. 4 (January 1976).

The fonds contains 'Appendix V' and a manuscript, both from Lighthall's book, The Person of Evolution.

The collection contains 'Horseman, pass by! the story of a poet', told by Frank O'Connor and Brendan Kennelly in a series of moving images. These images are saved in various formats.

The collection consists of the following:
7 letters and cards from Ottoline Morrell, 1919-1936, mostly undated
10 letters and cards from E.M. Forster, 1944-1957
1 photograph taken at Garsington of a group of six people: includes E.M. Forster, G. Lowes Dickinson and Frank Prewett.

The collection consists of correspondence with John Lehmann, Roger Senhouse, Dora Carrington, and others; photographs taken by Lady Ottoline Morrell at Garsington, and other items. There are also two letters written by Sir Leslie Stephen to Mrs. Holman Hunt and one letter from E. M. Forster to Mr. Roberts. The collection also contained George Spater's book collection which has been catalogued.

The fonds consists mainly of his writing including manuscripts, computer prints, sound recordings and transcripts of interviews and awards won. There is also a small amount of photographs and correspondence.

The fonds consists of notebooks (35 items) in which Wilson recorded his thoughts, ideas for songs, draft lyrics, occasional drawings, photographs, and more, ca.2003-2010 (also includes 11 photographs); the Florida Razors’ vinyl recording Beat Music, 1986; 14 sound recordings on tape of the Florida Razors, Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and Wilson solo material; notes and annotated galley proofs of Beautiful Scars; and two paintings by Wilson.

The collection consists of articles by and interviews with Leary.

The fonds consists of poetry and prose written by Laidlaw.

The collection consists of 23 letters from McGee to John O'Donohoe (1824-1902), a senator.The McGee collection also contains the research materials of J. Alexander Wallace, M.P., who wrote a Master's thesis on McGee at McMaster University in 1916. The materials include: correspondence, interview notes with John M. McGee, half-brother of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, typed copy of a letter from McGee to A. M. Sullivan, editor, Nation, Dublin, 25 June 1866, and research notes concerning McGee and Whelan. (Note: There are letters from O'Donohoe in the Patrick Francis Cronin collection.)

The fonds contains Thomas Carlyle correspondence, other Carlyle family correspondence, financial statements, photographs, notebooks and photocopies of diaries, and other materials