Call Number: Mss 119, Pc 121 (A.92-61, A.92-67, A.96-98)

Title: Henry E. Duckworth fonds.

Dates: 1938-1996.

Extent: 7.2 m of textual records. -- 2 photographs.

Biographical sketch: Henry Duckworth was born in Brandon, Manitoba. He was the only child of a United Church minister. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.A. (1935), a B.Sc. (1936) and a Teaching Certificate (1937). Following three years of secondary and junior college teaching, he enrolled at the University of Chicago where he earned his Ph.D. in Physics in 1942. He undertook three years of war research with the National Research Council of Canada. He worked at the University of Manitoba (1945-1946), Wesleyan University (1946-1951) and McMaster University (1951-1965). In 1965 he became vice-president of the University of Manitoba, and then president of the University of Winnipeg (1971-1981). He was chancellor of the University of Manitoba (1981-1991). Dr. Duckworth gained international acclaim for his work in atomic energy, especially his work in mass spectroscopy. He was able to accurately predict the energies released in various nuclear transmutations.

Custodial history: The fonds was donated by Dr. Henry E. Duckworth and transferred to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections in several installments in 1992 and 1996. Dr. Duckworth and his daughter, Jane Duckworth Maksymiuk, donated hundreds of his speeches and the complete set of his University of Winnipeg presidency desk journals in October 1996.

Scope and content: The collection consists of personal papers documenting his participation in several national and international committees, his scientific studies and achievements, his role as chancellor of the University of Manitoba and various other personal papers covering his multi-faceted career.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.

Accruals: No further accruals to this fonds are expected.

Finding aid: A printed finding aid is available in the Archives reading room and an on-line finding aid is available at the link below:

MSS 119, PC 121 (A.92-61, A.92-67, A.96-98).

We greatly acknowledge the financial support of the Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the Heritage Grants Advisory Council in the creation of this finding aid.