This collection documents the lives of opera singer Margaret Graeme Canning and her mother, Mary Margaret Hoskins Canning.

The collection is arranged into two series based on each individual. The first series focuses on Mary Margaret Hoskins Canning, a UT alumna, and includes UT memorabilia, examples of her writing (dating primarily from her time at UT), genealogical information, scrapbooks from different phases of her life, and a wealth of correspondence.

The second series focuses on opera singer and performer Margaret Graeme Canning and is comprised primarily of opera programs and memorabilia pertaining to her performances. These performances took place in multiple countries, including Germany, the United States, Bulgaria, and Belgium. Other items include reel-to-reel audio tapes of some of Margaret Graeme's performances, reviews of those performances, information about opera competitions, scrapbooks, correspondence, financial information, items from several educational institutions, and assorted other memorabilia.