Materials related to James Downey's personal and professional life. Includes Downey's commonplace books which he used to take notes related to his day-to-day affairs and specific annotations in relation to different aspects of his professional and personal life. Also contains speeches and addresses Downey wrote and presented at various events and celebrations. Lastly, holds personal and professional correspondence related to different aspects of Downey's professional roles and personal life (with a significant presence of correspondence between Downey and his sisters).

Materials related to speeches and addresses written and given by James Downey. Includes drafts and final versions of speeches, addresses, and toasts for different events, and remembrances for various persons. Also contains contextual information accumulated by Downey during the research and writing process (such as newspaper articles, photocopies of photographs, and ephemera).
Includes a drawing by Gerard Brender à Brandis titled “Winterton, Newfoundland.”

Correspondence sent and received by James Downey related to different areas of Downey's professional life. Includes letters of appreciation, tributes, newspaper clippings, and ephemera related to awards received and work performed by Downey in different roles and associations.
Also contains drafts of speeches and addresses related to Downey's work or roles, such as "Remarks by the Chancellor" during the official launch of Lord Beaverbrook and the Kennedys by James Downey (May 15, 2012) or "Commencement Address the University of Waterloo" by Trina McQueen, president, Discovery Channel (June 18, 1999).

Correspondence sent and received by James Downey. Contains correspondence related to Downey's professional roles, including letters of appreciation, recommendation requests, correspondence related to events he helped organize, and that related to different responsibilities of his roles. Also includes personal correspondence, especially related to Downey's family life. Personal correspondence has a preeminence of letters to and from Downey's sisters under the heading "Dear Sis" with numerous family photographs and mementos.

Materials related to biographical sketches written by James Downey. Contains writings about different people, tributes and essays by Downey, materials accumulated by Downey to support his research (such as news stories and photocopies of photographs), and related correspondence.
Titles of speeches and articles are:

• "A toast to Tom" (May 14, 2003),
• "Foreword" to Otto Tucker That nothing be lost (2003),
• "Mary Louise Lynch: lawyer; adviser & confidante of Lord Beaverbrook,"
• "Protectorate to Province: Newfoundland, 1934-1957,"
• "Ernest Fletcher Downey" (July 14, 2006),
• "Jemima Anne (Andrews) Downey" (May 13, 2000),
• "Dorothy (Downey) Elder" (January 31, 2000),
• "Margaret (Downey) Richards, on the 50th anniversary of her marriage,"
• "Lorne Parott" (July 9, 2000) and related correspondence,
• "Roland Hawkins" (April 11, 2000) and related correspondence,
• "Arthur S. Butt" (August 11, 2001),
• "Memories are made of this & that: recollections of life on Long's Hill, 1955-1956,"
• "Cott Fillier: a quick sketch" (September 16, 2005),
• "Dunville" (January 11, 2000),
• "George Story" (December 29, 1999)
• "Paul West" (January 6, 2000),
• "Eric Richards (1924-2004)" (August 4, 1999),
• "John Hutchinson",
• "Donald Soper" (January 2000),
• "A tribute to Chester Campbell" (March 1995),
• "A tribute to Eric Garland" (February 1997),
• "A toast to Harrison McCain" (January 17, 1998),
• "A toast to James F. O'Sullivan" (April 23, 1999),
• "Bob Burridge: a tribute (sort of)" (April 12, 1991),
• "For Colin B. Mckay" (March 30, 1999),
• "Beaverbrook's choice: the appointment of Colin B. Mackay as President of UNB" (February 18, 2003),
• "Tom Condon" (May 14, 2003),
• "Mary Ives (Anglin) Mackay,"
• "The Beaverbrook Beneficence" (January 1992),
• "Frank McKenna" (April 13, 2006),
• "Ted Williams" (July 11, 2002),
• "The brothers Kennedy at UNB. Introduction,"
• "Notes for remarks about Les Harris at AAU Dinner" (March 22, 1990),
• "Opening of Pratt exhibition" (September 16, 1993),
• "Senator J. Trevor Eyton" (January 19, 1994),
• "Michael Higgins" (May 9, 1994),
• "Introduction for peter Gzowski" (February 16, 1995),
• "Alex Colville" (November 10, 1995),
• "Remarks for the opening of an exhibition of the sculpture of Judith Schwartz" (January 14, 1998),
• "Installation of Bonnie Patterson: Luncheon talk" (October 2, 1998),
• "Introduction for David Johnston" (May 19, 1999),
• "Brian Hendley" (June 2, 1999),
• "Peter Harvey Sims to be Doctor of Laws" (June 15, 1999)
• "For Jim Kalbfleisch" (December 10, 2000),
• "For Susan Shantz" (April 24, 2000),
• "For Ian Lithgow, friend and colleague" (October 19, 2000),
• "Paul Mitchell" (April 3, 2001),
• "Arnold Naimark" (August 1998),
• "Anastasios Christodoulou: the very model of a Secretary General" (August 2002),
• "Introduction for Michael Ignatieff" (January 24, 2001),
• "For Paul Davenport, Officer of the Order of Canada" (October 28, 2002),
• "Conclusion to slide/video tribute to Valentine O'Donovan" (October 29, 2002),
• "J. Robert S. Prichard to be Doctor of Laws" (May 18, 2002),
• "For Lyle Hallman: a funeral tribute" (October 31, 2003),
• "Russel Legge: a funeral tribute" (March 28, 2004),
• "Welcome to the groom & toast to the bride" (May 2005),
• "For Bill Klassen" (April 23, 2006),
• "Words for Robin" (March 24, 2013),
• "For Mary Bales,"
• "For Doris Nicholson" (August 21, 2015),
• "A funeral tribute for Jim Kalbfleisch" (April 30, 2017).

Also includes one drawing by Gerard Brender à Brandis titled “Winterton, Newfoundland” and photocopies of photographs.

File consists of a genealogical story of Ernest and Mimy Downey, parents of James Downey, compiled and printed by James Downey.

Materials related to toasts, roasts, and remembrances written by James Downey honouring different people and events. Includes research information, drafts, and final versions of toasts.
Titles of toasts are:

• "Memories are made of this & that: recollections of life on Long's Hill, 1955-1956,"
• "Rob McDougall: a remembrance" (October 21, 2001),
• "George Benson Johnton: power, linguist, teacher, calligrapher,"
• "Gordon Wood (1921-2001),"
• "Mordecai Richler,"
• "Mary Louise Lynch,"
• "Colin B. McKay (1920-2003): Beaverbrook's choice,"
• "Tribute to Chancellor Valentine O'Donovan" (October 29, 2002),
• "For David Burns" (January 25, 2002),
• "Parkview United" (March 7, 2004),
• "Cott Fillier: a quick sketch" (September 16, 2005),
• "Robert Prichard to be Doctor of Laws,"
• "Welcome to the Groom & Toast to the Bride: for Sarah and Manfred on their wedding" (March 7, 2005),
• "Toast to Edwina and Wilf on their 50th" (August 25, 2008),
• "For Paul Davenport, Officer of the Order of Canada" (October 28, 2002) and related news stories,
• "For Peg & Eric Richards" (August 4, 1999),
• "Parallel lives: a tribute to Peter & Betty Sims,"
• "For Susan Shantz" (April 24, 2000),
• "For Ian Lithgow, friend & colleague" (October 19, 2000) and "Ian H. Lightgow: fundraiser par excellence,"
• "Introduction for Michael Ignatieff" (January 24, 2001),
• "Remarks for the opening of an exhibition of the sculpture of Judith Schwartz" (January 14, 1998),
• "Thomas J. Condon,"
• "Mary Ives (Anglin) Mackay" (January 30, 2002),
• "A garland for Eric,"
• "For Lyly Hallman: a funeral tribute,"
• "Russel Legge: a tribute" (March 28, 2004),
• "For Bill Klassen" (April 23, 2006),
• "Thanks to Cyril Poole" Wessex Society (May 9, 2007),
• "Toast to Edwina and Wilf on their 50th" (August 25, 2008),
• "Tribute to Paul Mitchell" (April 3, 2001),
• "For Claire Morris, from her friend and admirer, Kim Downey" (April 6, 2009),
• "For Mary Bales" (January 2, 2014).

File consists of ca. one hundred items of correspondence between James Downey and Cyril F. Poole between 2012-2013.

File consists of ca. two hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey between January and August, 2013.

Accrual consists of materials relating to the personal and professional activities and interests of James Downey from 1966 to 2013. Includes primarily correspondence as well as files relating to committees, consulting work, and personal research interests.

File consists of fifty three items of correspondence between James Downey, and Rob McDougall and Anne McDermot McDougall. Also includes remembrances written of Rob McDougall.

File consists six of items of correspondence between James Downey and Paul West. Also includes clippings, copies of the finding aid of the Paul West Archive, and copies of West's works.

File consists of ts. of speeches given by James Downey from 1998-2013 at various events.

File consists of sixty one items of correspondence between James Downey and Don MacIver.

File consists of seventeen items correspondence between James Downey and Jim O'Sullivan, Vice President of Finance at the University of New Brunswick, or regarding Jim O'Sullivan. Also includes related materials such as speech transcripts and an application for an award.

File consists of ca. two hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey between January and August, 2013.

File consists of ts. of speeches given by James Downey from 1998-2013 at various events.

Series is comprised of ca. 5000 items of personal and professional correspondence between James Downey and others. Includes letters, memoranda, cards, as well as inserted materials including photographs. Correspondents are listed at the file level.

File consists of 31 items of correspondence between James Downey and Dr. G. Stuart Adam, professor of journalism at Carleton University.

Series is comprised of transcripts of speeches and speech notes given by James Downey.

File consists of ca. one hundred twenty items of correspondence between Frances Gammon and her husband, and James Downey. Note that some of the later correspondence is with Frances' daughter and details Frances' decline in health.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey from 2010-2012.

Materials related to speeches and papers written by James Downey between the years 2006 and 2012. Includes drafts and final versions of speeches.
Titles of speeches are:

• “Opening remarks for HEQCO Interview” (November 19, 2006),
• “Canadian undergraduate education: a light source in need of recharging,” AUCC President’s Circle, Saskatoon (April 18, 2007),
• “Quality assurance: Boon or Boondoggle?” Canadian Institutional Research and Planning Association, St. John’s (October 22, 2007),
• “Ryerson Board retreat” (October 29, 2007),
• “Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation Dinner” (February 8, 2008),
• “Accountability versus autonomy,” Meeting of vice-presidents Conference Board of Canada Quality Network for Universities (November 13, 2008),
• “Centenary dinner,” Winterton United Church (October 1, 2011),
• “Remarks for the launch of Lord Beaverbrook and the Kennedys,” Memorial Hall, UNB (May 15, 2012).

File consists of thirteen items of correspondence between James Downey and Frank Iacobucci, Chairman of the HEQCO. Also includes materials relating to the HEQCO.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey from 2010-2012.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey from 2010-2012.

Correspondence received and sent by James Downey to his sisters. Most letters written by Downey are under the heading “Dear Sis.”
Includes photographs and photocopies of photographs of family members and friends and related newspaper clippings.
Also contains other personal correspondence sent and received by Downey.

File consists of 9 items of correspondence between Scott Fillier and James Downey. Also includes biographical information on Scott Fillier.

File consists of ca. one hundred twenty items of correspondence between Frances Gammon and her husband, and James Downey. Note that some of the later correspondence is with Frances' daughter and details Frances' decline in health.

File consists of ca. one hundred fifty items of correspondence from James Downey to Cyril F. Poole for the period 1985-2012.

File consists of correspondence between James Downey and The Chancellery of Honours regarding nominations and letters of recommendation for the Order of Canada.

File consists of 31 items of correspondence between James Downey and Ian Cameron, English professor at Carleton University.

File consists of fifty-five items of correspondence between James Downey and David Johnston. Also includes articles on David Johnston, and typescripts (computer output) of the 1995 Killam Lecture.

File consists of fifty two items of correspondence between James Downey and Robert Prichard. Also includes one magazine, and a written tribute.

File consists of correspondence between James Downey and The Chancellery of Honours regarding nominations and letters of recommendation for the Order of Canada.

File consists of ninety four items of correspondence between James Downey and Irene Leckie. Also includes one clipping about Irene and an obituary.

File consists of ca. fifty items of correspondence between Otto Tucker and James Downey between the years 2009-2010.

File consists of materials relating to the HEQCO and James Downey's tenure as president. Includes eight items of correspondence, as well as meeting minutes, speeches, membership lists, strategic plan, etc.

File consists of 39 items of correspondence between James Downey and Dr. Thomas J. Condon, VP of UNB Saint John.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence between James Downey and Cyril F. Poole for the years 2000-2009.

File consists of ninety items of correspondence between James Downey and Robert Richards. Also includes accompanying materials including clippings, speeches, etc.

File consists of materials created and accumulated by James Downey relating to the Seminar for New University Presidents, which he led from 1999-2007. Includes correspondence, speeches, notes, and a seminar booklet.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence between James Downey and Cyril F. Poole for the years 2000-2009.

Series is comprised of materials created and accumulated by James Downey relating to his consulting and advisory work for universities and organization. Also includes consulting and advisory done by others. Includes reports, correspondence, ephemera, etc.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence between James Downey and Cyril F. Poole for the years 2000-2009.

File consists of materials created and accumulated by James Downey relating to the Seminar for New University Presidents, which he led from 1999-2007. Includes correspondence, speeches, programmes, notes, and seminar booklets.

File consists of materials created and accumulated by James Downey relating to the Seminar for New University Presidents, which he led from 1999-2007. Includes correspondence, speeches, programmes, notes, and seminar booklets.

File consists of ca. one hundred items of correspondence between Otto Tucker and James Downey between the years 2008-2009.

File consists of fifteen items of correspondence between James Downey and Annie LeDrew.

File consists of correspondence relating to The Downey Tennisfest fundraiser. Also includes schedules, donation forms, invitations and photographs of participants.

File consists of fifty three items of correspondence between James Downey and Rebecca Watson.

File consists of ca. one hundred items of correspondence between James Downey and Otto Tucker between the years 2006-2007.

File consists of ca. one hundred items of correspondence between James Downey and Otto Tucker between the years 2006-2007.

File consists of materials relating to the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada President's Circle. Includes a booklet, a ts. (computer output) speech transcript, and ts. (computer output) notes regarding a roundtable.

File consists of ca. one hundred tems of correspondence between Otto Tucker and James Downey between the years 2005-2006.

File consists of two draft tss. (computer output) of Florence Reid's publication "Eighty-Two, The Circle: Poems About Children For Grown Ups." Also includes correspondence between James Downey and Florence Reid and Reid's published poetry book "Salt Spring Island Magic (And how did you get here?)."

Materials related to speeches and papers written by James Downey between the years 1994 and 2006. Includes drafts and final versions of speeches.
Titles of speeches are:

• “Notes for a speech to the United Way Campaign leaders conference,” Ottawa (February 12, 1994),
• “Epiphanies now and then: the process and prospects of educational reform,” UW Arts Faculty Lecture (April 6, 1994),
• “President’s report to the AGM of the UW Board of Governors,” (November 26, 1996),
• “The University as Trinity: balancing corporation, collegium, and community,” The Louise McBee Lecture, University of Georgia (1995),
• “Turning a corner: remarks by the president at the Annual State-of-the University meeting,” (November 20, 1997),
• “Home free, outport style: presentation at the Winterton Homecoming dinner,” Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador (August 1997),
• “University of Toronto Convocation address,” (June 11, 1998),
• “Board remarks,” (May 31, 1999),
• “Downey Tennisfest remarks” (September 26, 1999),
• “Presentation to colleagues at the Institute of Higher Education,” University of Georgia (March 23, 2000),
• “Honoring the commonplace,” Carleton University convocation address (June 16, 2000),
• “UW Art HGallery opening,” (September 21, 2000),
• “The president as stand-along word processor,” New Presidents’ Seminar, Calgary (October 5, 2000),
• “University of Waterloo Convocation address,” (October 2000),
• “Schools are Us,” David Smith Lecture, Council of Universities (October 14, 2003),
• “Management, leadership and change in universities,” Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Juley 6, 2006),
• “Giving voice to vision,” Association of Atlantic Universities, Memorial University of Newfoundland (October 27, 2006).

Correspondence received and sent by James Downey to his sisters. Most letters written by Downey are under the heading “Dear Sis.”
Includes photographs and photocopies of photographs of family members and friends and related newspaper clippings.

File consists of ca. one hundred tems of correspondence between Otto Tucker and James Downey between the years 2005-2006.

File consists of five items of correspondence between James Downey and Reginald Tweeddale. Also includes one obituary.

Series is comprised of correspondence and writings created by Florence Reid and accumulated by James Downey. Includes tss. and published books of Reid's poetry work as well as correspondence.

File consists of four items of correspondence between James Downey and William (Bill) Klassen. Also includes clippings relating to Bill Klassen and a CV.

File consists of fifteen items of correspondence between James Downey and Frank McKenna. Also includes clippings and speeches.

File consists of ca. one hundred fifty items of correspondence between James Downey and Otto Tucker between 1980-2005.

File consists of ca. two hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey between 2001-2005.

File consists of a report prepared by James Downey on the review of the agreement amongst Durham College, The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Trent University. The final report includes introductory remarks, a briefing note, terms of reference, text of the agreement, report of the external examiner of UOIT and the memorandum of agreement.

File consists of one report published by James Downey titled "Review of the Agreement Between the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Trent University."

File consists of five items of correspondence between James Downey and Valentine O'Donovan. Also includes correspondence relating to O'Donovan and his death, and a written tribute.

File consists of ca. two hundred items of correspondence from Cyril F. Poole to James Downey between 2001-2005.

File consists of ca. one hundred fifty items of correspondence between James Downey and Otto Tucker between 1980-2005.

James Downey’s commonplace book for the year 2005. Includes general notes, notes for talks and conferences, extracts from correspondence, and quotations from different authors.
Contains handwritten annotations on margins.
Content is organized by date.

File consists of ca. one hundred fifty items of correspondence between James Downey and Otto Tucker between 1980-2005.

James Downey's commonplace books and related materials. The earlier books consist of notebooks with handwritten annotations and, in some instances, photocopied pages of the notebooks (with later additions by hand). The newer books are printed versions with some handwritten annotations.

File consists of materials relating to a special meeting of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony that was chaired by James Downey. Includes a clipping, voting information, agendas, and a transcript of opening remarks.

Series consists of James Downey's files relating to friend and former student, Florence Reid. Includes correspondence to and from Florence Reid, clippings, manuscripts, tss., photographs, etc.

File consists of two items of correspondence between James Downey and Peter Sims. Also includes an interview with Downey on Sims, a tribute to Sims and biographical information.

James Downey’s commonplace book for the years 2003 and 2004. Includes general notes, notes for talks and conferences, extracts from correspondence, quotations from different authors, and the reproduction of a photograph from December 1961 with two children and an adult.
Contains handwritten annotations on margins.
Content is organized by date.
Also includes materials related to the “Wedding ceremony,” a “Toast to the Bride” speech, and a “Toast to the groom’s parents, Jim and Laura by Allen Ruben” for Geoffrey Downey and Krista Flieger (August 2, 2003), with photocopies of photographs from the ceremony.

File consists of correspondence (originals and copies) between James Downey and Florence Reed. Includes snapshots, newspaper clippings, ephemera, greeting cards, tss. of writing by Florence Reid.

File consists of the The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Governance and Management Review Report published by James Downey, October 2004.

File consists of the Institutional quality review of the University of Limerick: EUA Reviewer's Report, published by the European University Association Institutional Evaluation Program in November, 2004.

File consists of fifty eight items of correspondence between James Downey and Harrison McCain. Also includes correspondence with other members of the McCain family, and accompanying materials.

Series consists of files relating to consulting and advisory work by James Downey on behalf of provincial governments. James Downey was special advisor to the premier of New Brunswick from 1990 to 1993 and was co-chair of the Commission on Excellence in Education in New Brunswick. In 2003 he was appointed advisor to the Minister of Education on Ontario's Rural Education Strategy review. Includes correspondence, briefing notes, submissions, reports, clippings, publications and ephemera.

File consists of materials relating to James Downey's work with the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada on various panels and committees.

File consists of ca. two hundred fifty items of correspondence between Colin & Mary Mackay and James Downey between the years 1990-2003. Note that correspondence from this time period may appear in other files.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence from James Downey to Colin and Mary Mackay between the years 1990 and 2003. Note that this binder of correspondence was created by James Downey and that further correspondence from this time frame may be found in other files.

File consists of ca. three hundred items of correspondence from James Downey to Colin and Mary Mackay between the years 1990 and 2003. Note that this binder of correspondence was created by James Downey and that further correspondence from this time frame may be found in other files.

File consists of two tss. (computer output) of the 2003 David C. Smith lecture "Schools are us" delivered by James Downey upon his receiving the David C. Smith Award.

Series is comprised of works written by James Downey. Includes offprints of scholarly articles, articles published in university publications and materials related to his works on Sterne.

Fonds consists of material relating to activities and interests of James Downey from 1963 to 2004. The fonds contains biographical information, manuscripts and typescripts of his published works and speeches, "commonplace books," files relating to his various academic positions, files relating to consulting and advisory work on behalf of provincial governments. Includes appointment calendars, clippings, personal and professional correspondence, ephemera, manuscripts and typescripts, reports and research materials.

Also includes papers received from Florence Reid.

Series consists of daily and weekly appointment calendars, as well as weekly schedules, belonging to James Downey.

File consists of one binder assembled by James Downey relating to his activities as Advisor on Rural Education Strategy, a position to which he was appointed on May 1, 2003 by Elizabeth Witmer, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education for Ontario. Includes a copyof the final report.

File consists of teaching notes and notes about students in classes taught by James Downey at the University of Waterloo.

File consists of materials relating to the rural education review for 2003. Includes ts. of the report, research information, correspondence and a map.

File consists of twenty items of correspondence between James Downey and Eric Garland, Associate Vice President Administration at University of New Brunswick. Includes correspondence regarding Eric Garland and his death, and a CV.

File consists of ca. one hundred fifty items of correspondence between Colin & Mary Mackay and James Downey between the years 1980-2003. Also includes materials relating to the death of Colin Mackay. Note that correspondence from this time period may appear in other files.

File consists of an advisory report to Simon Fraser University written by James Downey and James Kalbfleisch. Also includes correspondence between James Downey and Michael Stevenson regarding the report.

File consists of ca. two hundred fifty items of correspondence between Colin & Mary Mackay and James Downey between the years 1990-2003. Note that correspondence from this time period may appear in other files.