Preservation of Historical Documents in Canada

Doughty, A.G., F.R.S.C., “Preservation of Historical Documents in Canada”, Royal Society of Canada Transactions, Third Series, Volume 18, Section 2, 1924, pp. 63-73.

There is some confusion concerning the date of the paper.  “(Read May Meeting 1914)” is written below the title of the paper which was published in the Society’s 1924 transactions.  This date is likely a typo, as the article refers to events which happened up to the end of 1923. This is confirmed as the RSC Transactions for the May Meeting 1924, the Report for Section II noted that AGD was present (p. XXX), “The Preservation of Historical Documents in Canada”, by AGD is listed as number 23 in the report as read and discussed (p. XXXIII), and it was included with the papers published under Section II in the RSC Transactions, Vol 18, 1924, pp. 63-74. The date of publication was further confirmed in the article, “List of Papers Contributed to Section Two of the Royal Society of Canada—1882-1924” by Lawrence J. Burpee, Royal Society of Canada Transactions, Third Series, Volume 19, Section 2, 1925, pp. 9-17.  There were two papers listed under AGD including “The Preservation of Historical Documents in Canada” for 1924, the date the paper was found in the Transactions for that year.

In this paper, AGD highlights key initiatives that increased the profile and contributed to building the historic collection of the Public Archives of Canada.  For example, references are made to the establishment of the Historical Documents Publication Board in 1917 with Adam Shortt as Chair; a visit to the archives by Sir Wilfrid Laurier a month before his death (he died in February 1919);  the acquisition of the Durham papers transferred from Lambton Castle to Canada in 1923; as well as the formation in 1923 of the associations in England and in France to aid the Canadian Government in its far ranging quest in the cause of the historical truth; and AGD's reference to the formal launch of the Society in England and the banquet which marked its inauguration on the 7^th November, 1923.

It was noted in the Report on the Proceedings and Transactions of the RSC for 1924, that one hundred reprints were furnished free of charge to each author (Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, Third Series, Volume 19, 1925, p. XXXIV).

Print copy in bound volumes of the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, Third Series, Volume 8, 1924, held by Queen’s University was reviewed; select images are pictured above.

A reprint of the article printed (Ottawa) for the Royal Society of Canada, held by LAC (OCLC #1007255399) was reviewed; select images pictured above.