Ignatius Loyola (Ignatius) Donnelly (1831–1901)

American politician and author. Republican congressman, 1863–9; lobbyist on behalf of western US railroads. Returned to Minnesota from Washington DC in 1872 and increasingly espoused liberal causes, including anti-racism and women’s suffrage; state senator, 1874–8. Author of a variety of books including fiction, literary criticism, and social commentary.