Series 2 - Personal papers

This series is comprised of autobiographical manuscripts, personal correspondence, letters to the editor, notes and photographs, as well as various clippings, and pamphlets reflecting Edwards' interest in politics and social issues (1965-1998 Box 6 files 104-110 - Box 7 file 1). In addition there is a large compilation of personal research on the Logan family and the Logan land holdings in 19th century Quebec and Ontario (1998-2000, Box 2). Included in the Logan papers are records of land cessions/transfers and Montreal notaries (Box 2 files 9, 13, 16, 17) as well as genealogical records (throughout Box 2) and drafts of biographical manuscripts on members of the Logan family (Box 2 file 18).

The autobiographical manuscripts concentrate on Edwards' life and political experiences from 1929-1949, his involvement with sports prior to 1945, and the beginning of his research interests in the Logan family (Box 6,m file 110). The correspondence includes drafts and final versions of letters written to Dean Hall of the Education Faculty regarding Edwards' position at McGill (1961-1967 Box 6 files 104, 105) and a 1998 letter to his grandson, Joe Friesen (Box 6 file 110) describing the circumstances surrounding the writing of four of Edwards' papers (his first published, a Presidential address to the Comparative and International Education Society, and two others - no titles provided). Other letters include a letter of support to Audrey McLaughlin, dated 1993, and two letters to Charles Taylor expressing his desire for the acceptance of the Meech Lake Accord (1990), and his agreement with Taylor's support for Canada's adoption of asymmetrical federalism (1992) (all Box 6, file 107). Letters to the editor date from 1989-1998 (Box 6 file 107), are mostly addressed to the Montreal Gazette, and address a variety of topics mainly in Quebec politics, including support of the Meech Lake proposal and condemnation of Quebec Bill 101.

Among the personal notes is a draft "Manitoba, Meech Lake and Bill 178" (Box 6 file 107) as well as lengthy comments on Quebec Bills 62 and 22, and an item titled "Government and Politics" (Box 6 file 106). Notes on Communism in the Soviet Union (ca. 1960) are in Box 7 (File 1). Many individuals of interest to Edwards are listed in Box 1, which holds a binder containing nearly 200 biographical clippings.

Photographs include those taken at sites visited during research trips (Box 2 files 4, 10), those taken with family and friends Boxes 3 (file 41, 5 (file 77) and 6 (file 109) and pictures taken of McGill archival photos (Box 6, file 109).