Hamilton artist, musician Tom Wilson donates personal archive to McMaster library

Hamilton artist, author and award-winning musician Tom Wilson has donated a personal archive of his work to the library at McMaster University.

Wilson, a lifelong Hamiltonian and prolific creator, made the donation recently to the school joking that his main motivation was to clean out his house.

“I sometimes joke that I made this gift because my basement is too full,” Wilson said.

“It’s humbling, to be sure, to have McMaster serve as the home of my archive.”

The new archive features notebooks filled with ideas for songs, lyrics and Wilson’s personal reflections from the years 2003 to 2010.

It also contains two paintings by the artist and recordings from The Florida Razors, Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and Wilson’s solo material.

Notes and proofs of Wilson’s best-selling memoir, Beautiful Scars, which details his journey to discover his Indigenous roots, are also contained in the archive.

“Tom’s archive is an important addition to our collection that, as always, is accessible to any interested members of the public,” said Vivian Lewis, McMaster University Librarian.

“I’m proud to recognize this gift since Tom is a Hamiltonian and I’m excited personally because I’m a longtime fan of his work.”

The archive is accessible to all members of the public. More information about the Tom Wilson Archive can be found on the McMaster University Library website.