The series consists of selected correspondence and related papers, 1928-1990, concerning the more significant periods and events in Robert L. Seaborn's life. They consist mainly of letters received, and a few copies of letters sent, with a few related papers: letters received and other papers (including degree diplomas), 1928-1972, relating to R.L. Seaborn's education and academic honours (file 44); letters received, 1930-1933, relating to Seaborn's summer jobs (file 45); letters received, 1935-1945, relating to his early career and period as an army chaplain, including letters from the Reverend Francis Henry Brewin (1873-1861) of Toronto and Cobourg, Ontario, and wartime letters from his mother and wife (files 46-52); letters received and sent and a few other papers, 1947-1951, relating to Seaborn's appointment as Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Quebec (file 53).
Also included are letters received and other papers, 1952-1956, relating mainly to his appointment as Rector of St. Mary's, Kerrisdale, Vancouver, B.C. (file 54); letters received and sent and other papers, 1957-1958, relating to Seaborn's appointment as Assistant Bishop of Newfoundland (file 55); letters received and sent and other papers, 1979-1980, relating mainly to Seaborn's retirement as Archbishop and Metropolitan (file 56). Also included are carbon copies of letters sent, 1958-1965, to Bishop J.A. Meaden of Newfoundland while Seaborn was his Assistant Bishop (file 57).
Also included are three collections of letters written by R.L. Seaborn to members of his family: to his mother, Muriel Kathleen Reid Seaborn (1883-1964), while he was studying at Oxford University, 1936-1937 (file 58); to his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Gilchrist Seaborn (b. 14 May 1915), while he was on active service as an army chaplain in Second World War, 1943-1945 (files 59-61), and while he was on his Quebec Labrador trip with Archbishop Philip Carrington, 1951 (file 62); and to his eldest son, Richard Gilchrist Seaborn (b. 28 October 1938) and his family, 1958-1990 (files 63-91).
The correspondence with R.G. Seaborn includes other material, such as newspaper cuttings, invitations and programmes, and photographs (photocopies of the originals, which are described in the Photographs and prints series).