Thomas Russell Wilkins was born in Toronto in 1891. He received his B.A. from McMaster University in 1912, and became the Science Master at Woodstock College the following year. In 1916, he and his wife Olive moved to Chicago, where Wilkins was an instructor of Physics at the University of Chicago. The next year he served as a master signal electrician in the U.S. Signal Corps. During World War I, Wilkins completed pioneer research for the United States Navy, which led to the development of pulse sonar devices in the 1920s. He had also been researching the possibilities of a wireless telephone.
Wilkins and his wife moved to Brandon in 1918, where he took up the position of Professor of Physics. During his time at Brandon College, Wilkins introduced the latest technology to classrooms, designed the original Science Building, and along with the Brandon Citizen's Committee, seucured building funds for the Citizen's Science Building.
Receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1921, Wilkins resigned from Brandon College in 1925 to pursue postgraduate study at Cambridge University. In 1926, he began research at the University of Rochester, where he also took up the position of Professor of Physics. From 1930 to 1938, he acted as the Director of the Institute of Optics.
Widely known for his work in the fields of cosmic rays and atomic disintegration, in April 1939, Wilkins announced the perfection of a camera that was able to record the "footprints" of invisible atoms after they collide. In October 1939, he received a medal from the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain recognizing his work regarding the use of photographic emulsions in the study of radium. The following year, Wilkins perfected a camera that could determine the energy levels inside the nuclei of stable chemical elements. He received a grant from Sigma Xi, the National Society for the Promotion of Scientific Research, in November of 1940.
Wilkins married twice. The first marriage, to Olive Anges Cross took place on June 17, 1913. Olive Wilkins died suddenly on May 13, 1937, at the age of 45. Wilkins married Susan Gwendolyn Whidden, the daughter of former Brandon College president Dr. H.P. Whidden, in 1938.
Thomas Russell Wilkins died suddenly of a heart attack on December 10, 1940, on his way back to his laboratory after a faculty meeting. He was 49 years old.
Custodial History
Records were accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
T. Russell Wilkins’ reocrds contain correspondence between himself and Mrs. Wilkins and Dr. Whidden concerning their employment with Brandon College. There are letters between the two men regarding the building of the Science Building in 1920. There is also a copy of the Canadian Baptist. Besides programmes and a picture, there is also correspondence between various people. Dr. Wilkins kept the papers he had written for various classes at McMaster University in the years 1911 and 1912. There is a "toast to the ladies" that he delivered at a banquet of some sort, that gives an interesting view on how Wilkins, and possibly other men of his time, viewed women. There are numerous newspapers clippings, and several pages taken from journals such as Popular Mechanics, Popular Electricity and others. Dr. Wilkins was at the top of his field of study. He was an extremely bright man who managed to create some very useful tools of science. His papers are interesting and informative to read.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from Campus News May 1990
Tears around the edges, some staining over the entire piece (none of the photos are damaged)
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the members of Brandon College Class of 1943. Writing on the back reads "To Bill, from The Knowleton's, Happy Birthday 1976."
Notes
Cliff Kitson graduated Class of 1946, Ray Bailey graduated Class of 1945, Anna Hughes graduated Class of 1944, George Gooden graduated Class of 1942. S. Morris, M. Hughes, M. Bockie, A. Flemming, M. Fahrig did not graduate. W. Orr, G. Grant, W. Goodwin, A. Armstrong all served in World War II and did not graduate. A. Armstrong was killed on active service.
Image has some small cracks across the portrait on the bottom left
Custodial History
Image was donated by Dr. Keith Evans, son of JRC Evans and nephew of Annie Evans Wright.
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the Brandon College Class of 1926.
Top row (L to R): Anita Grace Sallans; Ida Myrtle Eliason; Muriel Edith Jollow; Harriet Ada Spackman; Rose Jeane Vasey; Hon. Pres. JRC Evans; Margaret Kilgour; Myrtle Christina Evans; Edna Pearl Calverley; Eileen Muriel Ritchie; Annie Evans Wright
Bottom row (L to R): Samuel Ernest McDowell; Thomas Eric Stevens; William August Wenk; George Ralph Berquist; Joseph Lester Gayton; Joseph Clarence Hembling; Robert Hugh Wellwood; Arthur Macdonald Freeman; Harold Francis Batho; George Darragh; Theodore Charles Segsworth; Arthur Percival Macpherson
There are stains and missing pieces on the matting but the photograph itself is in good condition.
Scope and Content
Brandon College Commercial Department of 1913.
Top Row (L to R): A. Diamond; W.C. McGregor; L. Carrick; C. Stewart; E. Fortune; H.F. Shillington; A. Morrison; C. Ketcheson; E. Frampton; and H. McLeod.
Second Row (L to R): H. Burke; H. McConnell; K.J. Shaw; J. Mallory; F.S. Irving; B. Griffin; A. Scott; R. Harwood; G. Clayton; and H. Olmstead.
Third Row (L to R): G. Martin; M. Frisch; A. Burke; M. Howard; M.C. Barlour; C.M. McDonald; M. Fisher; W. Hollies; and I. Raine.
Fourth Row (L to R): G.H. Underhill; M.E. Harkness; E. Anderson; and C.O. Briggs.
Fifth Row (L to R): A. Black; J.F. McLennan; N. Ireland; S. Porter; A Evans; M. Lombard; A.J. Stevens; E. Mode; and P. Chapman.
Last Row (L to R): S. H. Lye; J. Willmott; A. Coultard; C.E. Robertson; D. Hettle; C.L. Badgley; E. Johnson; J.W. Chamber; F. Gillies; and V.G. Shillington.
Faculty in the middle: Dr. Whidden (President) and J.W. Mark (Principal).
Damage to the edges; bottom left corner is missing (names and parts of two student portraits are missing)
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the members of Brandon College's Commercial Class, 1908-1909.
Top row (L to R): H.L. Courtice; W.A. Morden; S.F. Attridge; H.L. Richarb; Annie Evans; I. Graham; L. Cunningham; A. Erickson; L.J. Courtice; K. Winton; A. Duncan; R. Rabe
Second row (L to R): L.P. Lopton; W. Morrison; E.S. Canning; J.R. Riches; J. Sinclair; A. McPherson
Thrid row (L to R): J.W. Forbes; M.I. Chase; E. Thompson; B.A. Moffat; D. McDonald; D.J. Orris; H. Lurass; L.R. Boorman; W. Courtice; H. Strong; E. Breffett
Fourth row (L to R): N. Miller; S. Fleming; A. Weden; L. Sharp; I. Patton; S.A. Gillis; U. Merrill; R. Smith; B. Moon; E. McDonald
Fifth row (L to R): R. Chapman; T. Henley; F. Chapman; J. Pollock; A. Jamieson; F. Shield; J. Kyle; W.R. McLachlan
Sixth row (L to R): [name missing female]; [name missing male]; J.A. Cameron; J. Bergstrom; C.E. Walker, C.A.; A.P. McDiarmid, M.A.D.D.; J. Peaslee; V. Speller; H. Evans; G.V.W. Lauder
Image was given to Carla Eisler in Alumni Relations by Barry Gordon in 2013. Eisler transferred it to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the Brandon College Class of 1927.
Top row (L to R): Doris Millicent Heath; Rose Alexandra Hyndman; Edith Marie Irish; Kathleen Condell; Margaret Lilian King; Ruth Eliza Willey; Ruth Ethel Clement; Leta Marian Fry; Alice Aileen Brandon; Gertrude Fanny Louise Godley; Emma Gruenke
Bottom row (L to R): Donald Alleyn Ritchie; Clarence Edmund Erickson; Lloyd Crawford; Eric Livesay Yates; Harold Pratt Clark; Hon. Pres. Cyril Richards; Robert Ormond Shuttleworth; Armand Daniel Stade; John Arvid Strahl; Denis Marland Phillpotts; John McLellan; Lawrence Gladwyn Macpherson.
Notes
Barry Gordon is the son of Ruth Eliza Gordon (nee Willey), Brandon College class of 1927. Duplicate is BUPC 9.79a
Image is warped on the right side and is coming away from its backing board
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the Brandon College Class of 1927.
Top row (L to R): Doris Millicent Heath; Rose Alexandra Hyndman; Edith Marie Irish; Kathleen Condell; Margaret Lilian King; Ruth Eliza Willey; Ruth Ethel Clement; Leta Marian Fry; Alice Aileen Brandon; Gertrude Fanny Louise Godley; Emma Gruenke
Bottom row (L to R): Donald Alleyn Ritchie; Clarence Edmund Erickson; Lloyd Crawford; Eric Livesay Yates; Harold Pratt Clark; Hon. Pres. Cyril Richards; Robert Ormond Shuttleworth; Armand Daniel Stade; John Arvid Strahl; Denis Marland Phillpotts; John McLellan; Lawrence Gladwyn Macpherson.
There is staining and warping along the bottem left hand corner. One small stain on G.H. Mann.
Custodial History
Photograph was given to Carla Eisler in Alumni Relations by Alfred James Tulloch in 2013. Eisler then gave it to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item consists of portraits of the members of Brandon College's Business Department for 1906-1907.
Top Row (L to R): C. Brown; J. Lloyd; W.R. Iredale; R.L. Dalgleish; J.C. Brydon; J. Lochead; C.V. Johnston; M. Carey; W.H. Hoey; M. Alexander; A.G. Nelson; S.F. Lietz; A.J.H. Hearn; B. Henderson; A.C. Campbell; and E. Obleman.
Second Row (L to R): K. Cameron; E.M. Rollins; A.S. Gimby; A. Lochead; J.L. Campbell (Committee); C.I. Stewart (Com.); W. Aagaard (Vice Pres.); J.A. Perdue (Pres.); A.B. Ruth (Sec. Treas.); F. Schofield; D.R. Lamont; A. Lee; M.L. Tamblyn; and D.J. Harrison.
Third Row (L to R): A. Newton; M. Ross; V. David; E. Shillabeer; E. Turnbull; J.A. Gillis; I. Patten; E. Chesley; A. Dwyer; G.V. McArthur; A. Brown; and H. Klemm.
Fourth Row (L to R): C. Kirkland; P.A. Ruth; C. Walmsley; T. Wilson; T. Wilson; Dr. A.P. McDiarmid; Prof. Doolittle; H. Hinton; D. McNair; T. Orchard; and R. Hammond.
Fifth Row (L to R): H. Kerr; R. Muller; W.A. Vandervoort; V. Edwards; M. Anderson; W.L. Chapman; A. Lee; and A. LaPointe.
Sixth Row (L to R): I.E. Newton; G. Orchard; A. Rutherford; P. Mallory; M. Pattison; and G. Miller.
Seventh Row (L to R): T.H. Henley; W. Smith; M. McCaul; L.J. Blight; L. Shuttleworth; Chas. Dutton; F.J. Robertson; W. Holden; G. Herbert; M. Boyles; H.G. Whitman; E. Smiley; L. Neilly; C. Morrison; G.H. Mann; and J. Tulloch.
Eighth Row (L to R): Chas. Clyde; L. Whitchelo; C. Tulloch; M. Falconer; J.C. Clemment; P. Lee; M. Ritchie; W.H. Edgar; J.H. Elsey; A. Wade; W. Kahlo; J.M. Elsey; S. Falkenberg; O. Lee; L. Campbell; and F. Mann.
Ninth Row (L to R): M. McMullen; L. Sutherland; J.M. Bergstrom; and E. Haney.
Notes
Alfred James Tulloch is the son of J. Tulloch (seventh row). Duplicate is BUPC 9.72
There are stains and missing pieces on the matting but the photograph itself is in good condition.
Scope and Content
Brandon College Commercial Department of 1913.
Top Row (L to R): A. Diamond; W.C. McGregor; L. Carrick; C. Stewart; E. Fortune; H.F. Shillington; A. Morrison; C. Ketcheson; E. Frampton; and H. McLeod.
Second Row (L to R): H. Burke; H. McConnell; K.J. Shaw; J. Mallory; F.S. Irving; B. Griffin; A. Scott; R. Harwood; G. Clayton; and H. Olmstead.
Third Row (L to R): G. Martin; M. Frisch; A. Burke; M. Howard; M.C. Barlour; C.M. McDonald; M. Fisher; W. Hollies; and I. Raine.
Fourth Row (L to R): G.H. Underhill; M.E. Harkness; E. Anderson; and C.O. Briggs.
Fifth Row (L to R): A. Black; J.F. McLennan; N. Ireland; S. Porter; A Evans; M. Lombard; A.J. Stevens; E. Mode; and P. Chapman.
Last Row (L to R): S. H. Lye; J. Willmott; A. Coultard; C.E. Robertson; D. Hettle; C.L. Badgley; E. Johnson; J.W. Chamber; F. Gillies; and V.G. Shillington.
Faculty in the middle: Dr. Whidden (President) and J.W. Mark (Principal).
Composite portrait of the members of the Brandon College Matriculation Class of 1917 and their class motto "Abeunt In Recors Studia."
Front Row (L to R): C.L. Strachan; H. Coram; N. Bilasz; H.A. Robertson; M. Gibson; and G. Clarke.
Second Row (L to R): C. Molberg; G.B. Craig (C. President); D.R. Wilkie; and K. Moffat.
Third Row (L to R): E. Irwin; J.R. Evans (Principal, B.A.); Dr. Whidden (President, M.A.); and L.M. Coutts.
Fourth Row (L to R): J. Olson; J.S. Peterson; A. Livingstone; and M. Thomson.
Bottom Row (L to R): A.G. Douglas; B. Hall; P. Red; J. Hindorff; E. Maley; and J. Wiklund.
Item consists of portraits of the Brandon College Arts Class of 1929 taken in 1926, the class motto Tentanda Via Est, and photographs of Dr. Bovington (Brandon College President), E. Scott Eaton (Honorary President of the Class of 1929) and the College campus.
Top Row (L to R): P.J. Beaubier; M. Thomas; J.R. Mott; M.H. Dunkin; L.A. Skeoch; F.D. Smith; E.L. Bowler; M.J. Sinclair; H.C. Booth; D.L. Hill; T.M. Leask; E.M. Knapp; and W. Fredrickson.
Second Row (L to R): D.M. Ireton; T. C. Bovington; F.J. Turnbull; J.W. Thompson; E.J. Findlay; C.J. Smith (Vice Pres.); B. Clark (Sec.Treas.); M.W. Shewan (Class Pres.); A.A. Astrope; W.F. Westcott; S.C. Beattie; J. H. Merrell; and M.M. McDonald.
Third Row (L to R): J.D. Hughes; E.M. Harris; T.A. Dean; W.F. Warren; V.A. Landstrom; and R.E. Walker.
Fourth Row (L to R): L.T. McKenzie; R.J. Parker; L.J. Crane; I.M. Brander; W.H. Hambly; and J.M. Lund.
Fifth Row (L to R): W.F. Dowling; B.R. Hyndman; N. Derby; E.M. Rorke; F. A. Doherty; G.E. Barnwell; W.E. Lewis; and R.R. Lynn.
Sixth Row (L to R): D. Robertson; A.H. Lousley; C. LaMontagne; H.R. Rorke; C.M. Tees; W. Goldstraw; J.H. Popkin; M.M. Muirhead; A. B. Carter; H. T. Duncan; M. Shachter; and E.E. Nesbitt.
Last Row (L to R): G. G. Jasper; H.M. Davidson; J.B. Hawson; M.I. Hart; R.G. Austin; R.M. Kingshott; E.L. Molberg; M.F. Nowe; E. Wellwood; E.E. Bullard; A. S. Alsford; K. McKenzie; and R.M. Creighton.
Photograph at one time belonged to R.O. McDiarmid.
Scope and Content
Item consists of portraits of the members of Brandon College Arts Class of 1931 taken in 1928, their motto “Carpe Diem,” and photographs of Prof. H.R. Jolliffee (Honorary President), the College campus, and J.R.C. Evans (Dean of Arts).
Top Row (L to R): L. Umphrey; O. Morrison; A.C. Fromme; W. Steinhauer; W.M. Beer; C.M. Dunkin; W.P. Dutton (Class Pres.); B.M. Gibson; C.H. Spearin; I.E. Zink; R.A. Dowling; I. Robertson; and V. Laughton.
Second Row (L to R): L.C. Bulman; R.E. Vasey; K.A. Barnwell; R.F. Eamer; F.R. McLeod; D. Wright; A.L. MacArthur (Sec.Treas); M. Stewart (Vice Pres.); M.A. Shepley; S. Bateman; J.G. Miles; A.H. Houssain; and W.G. Robertson.
Third Row (L to R): J. Kilgour; R. Harris; H. McDowell; M. Draper; R. Pritchard; H. Vaisler; D.R. Morris; and N.E. Todd.
Fourth Row (L to R): C.A. McNeil; H. LaMontagne; A.E. Marshall; D.R. McLeod; H. Young; G. Aylesworth; G. Heywood; and G. Fulcher.
Fifth Row (L to R): O. McDiarmid; R. Wright; W. Harwood; E. Stott; R.H. White; A.J. Cameron; M.E. Armstrong; and J.A. Girvin.
Sixth Row (L to R): H.J. Fraser; R.C. Lundgren; M.E. Henderson; N. Spearin; A. Kennette; H.K. Scott; H.G. Tolton; M. Fitton; W.G. Dick; L.R. Gainer; J.T. Condell; and E.N. Reid.
Bottom Row (L to R): G. Scott; D. Campbell; J. Harwood; H. Ball; G.R. Easter; C.I. Hitchings; R.S. McGill; F. Cater; J.P. Buss; J.M. Cowell; E.W. Shaw; M.A. Bremner; and A.W. Mott.
Composite portrait of the members of the Brandon College Graduation Class Arts 30.
Top Row (L to R): M.N. Brooks; W.L. McFarland; C.McNeil; Professor C.F. Richards (Hon. Class Pres.); T. Douglas; G.D. Wilkie; and R. McLachlan.
Second Row (L to R): M.H. Dunkin; E.M. Fidler; M.R. McDonald; I.E. Shanks; A.E. Cameron; and J. Leslie.
Third Row (L to R): M.M. Evans; E.W. Morrison; M. Maltman; C.B. Wicklund; Dr. J.R.C. Evans (Pres. Brandon College); S.H. Knowles; J. Hitchings; T.B. Stoodley; and R.E. Bingham.
Last Row (L to R): G.W. Brown; R.A. Clement; W.F. Westcott; R.W. Sharpe; W.A. Stevens; A.H. Clark; A.G. Robertson; J.P. Odin; and S. Pechet
Photograph has minor water damage on the bottom left that has resulted in a slight bubbling.
Scope and Content
Item consists of portriats of the members of the Brandon College Academic 3 class, as well as photographs of H.P. Whidden (Brandon College President), Jennie Turnbull (Honorary President) and J.E. Howes (Principal).
Top Row (L to R): M. Rose; H. Henn; J. Carns; Russel Maxwell; B. Pollock; G. Berquist; and O. Peddicord.
Second Row (L to R): F. Westcott; H. Adolph; D. Bourke; J. Bocskay; M. Gronberg; and V. Philip.
Third Row (L to R): F. Friend; Miss J.M. Turnbull (Hon. President); Dr. Whidden (President); J.E. Howes (Principal); and E. Harkness.
Fourth Row (L to R): J. Kippen; A. Gronberg; G. Magnuson; William Philip; L. Smith; M. Holman; and S. Ledingham.
Fifth Row (L to R): C. Hembling; M. Young; M. Hall; and R. McLean.
Sixth Row (L to R): A. MacPherson; C. Lindbow; E. Rand; V. Robinson; C. McNeil; and W. Cranston.
Bottom Row (L to R): C.H. Henderson; R. Whidden; J. Robertson; and F. Adolph.
Item consists of portraits of the members of the Brandon College Business Department 1921.
Top Row (L to R): E. Bowering; W.A. Brandon; F. Field; G. Crowhurst; M. Erickson; P.J. Green; and L. Laing.
Second Row (L to R): H.V. Jones; M. Peddicord; D. Gray; and H. Reynolds.
Third Row (L to R): E. Campbell; F. Sainsbury; O. Larson; J. McFarlane; M. McCombe; and E. Larson.
Fouth Row (L to R): P. Houston; D. Magnusson; G. Boyd; and I. Copeland.
Fifth Row (L to R): M. Overend; E. Clarke; A. McFarlane; Mr. B. J. Morse (Instructor); Miss J. Taylor (Instructor); D.C. Bricker; A. Bly; and E. Evenden.
Bottom Row (L to R): M. MacKay; H.J. Moffat; N. Prince; R.A. Harris; E. King; P. Hockis; H. Hindorff; and L. McLean
Item consists of portraits of the Brandon College Arts Class of 1930 taken in 1927, and the Class of 1930s motto: “Age Quod Agis.”
Top Row (L to R): J. Elviss; R. Harris; R. Patmore; M. MacDonald; J.P. Odin; K. Kilgour; H. Vaisler; M. Bigelow; A. Clark; W.M. Anderson; C.W. Wicklund; E. Smith; and W.T. Dick.
Second Row (L to R): M. Martin; J.M. Campbell; D. Campbell; G. Brown; M. Dunkin; G.D. Wilkie (Sec.Treas); B. Hyndman (Vice Pres.); T.C. Douglas (Class Pres.); K. McKenzie; W.I. Easton; M. Fotheringham; A. Robertson; and L. Popkin.
Third Row (L to R): H. McDowell; J. Lane; E.C. Black; S. Pechet; G.M. Boyes; and H.L. Young.
Fourth Row (L to R): M. Evans; J. Allan; T.A. Salekin; D. Dadson; A.T. Grantham; and V. Ulinder.
Fifth Row (L to R): R. E. Hunter; E.M. Pierse; R. McNeil; V. Gilmour; M. Maltman; and R.A. Clement.
Sixth Row (L to R): L. E. Shanks; C.R. Emerson; C. Lamont;, A.T. Keeler; N.F. Spearin; G. Jernberg; E. Fidler; H. R. Rorke; J. Cowan; A. Cameron; H. Cairns; and H. Lousley.
Last Row (L to R): W.S. Stevens; S. Wickstrom; W. McFarland; E.M. Harris; R. Simpson; M. Patmore; G. Eaton; J. Hitchings; R.P. Umphrey; K. Underwood; A. Holstein; E. Knapp; and V.A. McLeod.
