Special Collections Opens “Mahony’s Meanderings” Exhibit with March 31 Reception

News item published on: 2026-03-13 11:46:00

Join Special Collections for the opening of “Mahony’s Meanderings” on Tuesday, March 31 at 2:30 p.m. in McCain Library and Archives, Room 305. This new exhibit explores the life and literary world of Patrick Mahony. Drawn from Southern Miss’ archival and book holdings, the exhibit highlights Mahony’s life and work as a collector and writer whose interests spanned literature, celebrity culture, politics, and the paranormal.

On display are correspondence and inscribed books from major literary figures such as Maurice Maeterlinck (1911 Nobel Prize in Literature) and Lord Dunsany (Anglo-Irish poet and fantasy writer), alongside letters exchanged with royalty, politicians, and prominent intellectuals. The exhibition also features celebrity correspondence with film icons Fay Wray and Gloria Swanson, offering a glimpse into Mahony’s connections across cultural spheres.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Mahony maintained a deep interest in the supernatural. Visitors will see examples of his writings and published works on the paranormal, reflecting his curiosity about mysticism and unexplained phenomena.

“Mahony’s Meanderings,” curated by Andrew Rhodes and Jennifer Brannock, will be on exhibit in McCain Library and Archives, Room 305, through September 1. For more information about Patrick Mahony and the materials featured in the exhibit, contact Jennifer Brannock at .