miscellanies

Miscellany refers to a collection of various writings, artefacts, or items gathered together because they share little beyond being of interest to the compiler. The word derives from Latin miscellaneus, from miscere "to mix." In literary and publishing contexts, a miscellany is a heterogeneous anthology that includes multiple genres, such as poems, essays, anecdotes, recipes, illustrations, and sometimes marginalia, without a single unifying theme.

By contrast, an anthology or reader is usually organized around a specific topic, author, or form.

Historically, miscellanies appear in antiquity and medieval periods as compilations of snippets from different authors, as well as collections of medical, geographical, or literary excerpts. Early modern and Enlightenment printing popularized miscellanies as inexpensive, portable volumes for casual reading, travel, or reference. The organization is often eclectic, sometimes with minimal editorial commentary, and items may be anonymous or fragmentary.

In libraries, the term continues as a catalog or shelf category for loose or multi-author holdings that do not fit neatly into a single subject or author. In music and visual arts, miscellany describes anthologies of tunes, drawings, or plates that are grouped by accessibility rather than theme.

Today, miscellanies persist as a historical form and continuing practice in publishing and curatorial work, valued for their breadth, variety, and ability to preserve diverse voices and materials in one volume.