A black-and-white photo of two seated men taken of them looking into a mirror.
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John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Newman Tower of Collections and Exploration

James Merrill’s Poetic Places

Painting of the sculpted bust of a child's head placed on the roof of a house.
Painting by David Jackson.

American poet James Merrill was a world traveler. He loved discovering new destinations and exploring new cultures, and he found deep inspiration in them. He also had certain home bases that provided frequent creative stimuli throughout his life. On the occasion of Merrill’s centenary year in 2026, this exhibition showcases six such locations, whether a house, a city, a country, or even an imaginary place that transcended the physical and defined his epic literary trilogy.

Whichever the case, these places played key roles in some of Merrill’s most cherished works and dearest relationships. With the exception of certain items on loan from the James Merrill House (JMH) in Stonington, Connecticut, all items in this exhibition are from the James Merrill Papers in WashU Libraries’ Special Collections.

The JMH currently has the “James Merrill’s World: The Stonington Circle” exhibition on display, which includes items from the James Merrill Papers. In October 2026, the JMH will be hosting the Stonington Literary Festival to celebrate Merrill’s centenary.

This exhibition is curated by the Curator of Modern Literature Collection/Manuscripts Joel Minor.