This is an archival collection relating to the life and work of Henry Edward Dormer (1844-1866). It consists of books, photographs, slides, films, correspondence, drawings, banners, and realia, including Dormer’s sword. Dormer was born in Warwickshire, England, and after studies in Europe and in Ireland, made a retreat at age 19 under Father Rudolph Suffield, a Dominican friar, an event which apparently changed his outlook on life. Stationed with the King’s Own Royal Rifles in London, Upper Canada, in 1866 during the era of the Fenian Raids, Dormer is reputed to have led a life of selfless devotion to God, attending to the needs of the poor, sick and elderly of the colonial garrison town. Dormer bestowed money, clothing, food and other necessities to those in need, and gave religious instruction to children and soldiers, if they requested it, all the while wrestling with the question of his own possible religious vocation. Dormer contracted typhoid fever and died on 2 October 1866, just as he had decided to enter the Dominican novitiate. As word of Dormer’s death spread contemporary newspaper accounts reported that “the saint is dead.” Digitized pages from the notebook of Henry Edward Dormer and additional biographical information taken from the files of Cathedral Connections can be viewed from the website of St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica.
Location: Eaton Special Collections Room
Extent: 194 cm. of textual record + realia
Finding aid
This is an archival collection containing many of the papers of Gerald Killan, PhD, a professor of history at King’s University College since 1973, and Principal from 1997 to 2009. The fonds consists of personal correspondence and documents pertaining to publications and historical society records, including photographs, maps, and computer diskettes. Records involve the operations and/or deliberations of such groups as the Ontario Historical Society, the Champlain Society, Conservation Review Board of Ontario, and Friends of Pinery Park, as well as correspondence, proofs, etc. relating to Killan’s published books, including Protected Places: a history of Ontario’s provincial parks system (1993), and David Boyle: from artisan to archaeologist (1983).
Location: Archival Storage
Extent: 826 cm. of textual record
Finding aid
This is a small archival collection having to do with the life and career of Peter Dorland Mitchell (1921-2001), an early King’s alumnus, who also served as Chief Librarian at King’s College, as it was then called, from 1959 to 1986. Some of the collection relates to the creation and dedication on 4 October 2002 of the newspaper reading lounge in the Cardinal Carter Library, complete with an oil painting portrait of Mr. Mitchell, fireplace, wingback chairs, and custom-built newspaper reading desks. A talented pianist, Peter Mitchell spent time much of his time during World War II in the occupied Channel Islands studying and composing music, some of which was published and is included in this collection.
Location: Archival Storage
Extent: 13 cm. of textual record
Finding aid: no
This collection is a mixed assortment of records and documents from various Canadian Alumni Associations and University Advancement Organizations from 1970-1995. The material was collected and donated by Prof. Paul Webb, who was Director of the King’s University College Alumni Association from 1973-1992.
Location: Archival Storage
Extent: 60 cm. of textual record
Finding aid
This is a small collection relating to the history and activities of the J.M.S. Careless History Club at King’s, and consists of typical archival material: constitution, correspondence, speakers’ biographies, executive meeting notes, budgetary and financial data, membership lists, etc. The Club’s mandate has been to organize a lecture series focused on historical topics of interest to students at King’s. The club was named in honour of Canadian historian James Maurice Stockford Careless (1919- ), long-time professor at the University of Toronto, friend and mentor of a number of King’s history professors over the years, and a frequent speaker at events held by the College’s History Club.
Location: Archival Storage
Extent: 7 cm. of textual record + 1 video
Finding aid: no
This is an archival collection of papers, correspondence, minutes, reports, books, notes, etc. dealing with the movement to “Canadianize” universities and colleges in Canada during the 1960s and 1970s. The collection also includes some 20 taped interviews conducted roughly between 1997 and 1999 with participants in the movement. The focus is on the sociopolitical activism of such leading figures as Robin Matthews and James Steele, both professors of English at Carleton University in Ottawa, and the role played by the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association (CSAA). An important collection of primary source material concerning the success of the Canadianization Movement, which led to changes in the academic culture of this country generally, and specifically to changes in labour market hiring policy. The collection was donated by the late Dr. Jeffrey Cormier, Professor of Sociology, King’s University College.
Location: Archival Storage
Extent: 120 cm. of textual record + cassette tapes
Finding aid