The fonds documents the family of John William Dawson, geologist and Principal of McGill University, through four generations. Family members include James Dawson, a Scots immigrant to Nova Scotia, printer, stationer, unsuccessful investor and zealous Presbyterian; his son John William, the McGill principal from 1855 to 1893; John William's wife Margaret Mercer and their children, George Mercer Dawson, explorer, geologist, and Director of the Geological Survey; William Bell Dawson, an engineer; Rankine Dawson, M.D.; and Anna Lois Dawson: Also represented are Anna's husband, B.J. Harrington, consulting chemist and Professor at McGill University and their children; and Eva Dawson and her husband Hope Atkin.
