Programme History

 

The establishment of the McGill University Archives (MUA) was announced in 1962 with the appointment of McGill’s first University Archivist, Alan Ridge. The origins of the archives program can be traced to correspondence in the late 1950s between Professor John Irwin Cooper of the Department of History and Principal F. Cyril James. Their discussions highlighted the need to survey and better assess the University's records and to establish a formal archives program. 

In announcing the creation of the Archives, James emphasized the importance of records and archives for both administrative and historical purposes. He noted that university records form part of McGill’s institutional memory, while recognizing that not all records warrant permanent preservation. A key responsibility of the Archivist in coordination with units, therefore, is to determine which records have historical value and should be retained. 

“All kinds of documents have been created in the course of administering the university and they are all, technically, archives forming part of the University’s memory. Yet not all the papers which have survived merit indefinite retention and it is one of the Archivist’s functions to advise on the relative value of any classes of papers…” 

(MUA Records of the Principal, RG 2 C266, File 8023, "Administration Archives and Records")

The archival functions were further reinforced with the passing of the Quebec Archives Act in 1983, with subsequent revisions in 2006.

University Archivists

 

  • Anthea Seles, Director and University Archivist 2025– 
  • Yves A. Lapointe, Director and University Archivist 2017–2024 
  • Lori Podolsky, Acting Director and University Archivist 2013–2017 
  • Theresa Rowat, Director and University Archivist 2007–2013 
  • Johanne Pelletier, Director and University Archivist 1997–2007 
  • Gordon Burr, Acting Director and University Archivist 1987–1988, 1990–1991 and 1994–1997 
  • Robert Michel, Acting Director and University Archivist 1987 
  • Marcel Caya, Director and University Archivist 1977–1996 
  • John Andreassen, University Archivist 1968–1977 
  • Alan D. Ridge, University Archivist 1962–1968