author
Eleanor C. (Eleanor Cecilia) Donnelly
1838–1917
A prolific Philadelphia writer of poetry, stories, and biography, she became a well-known voice in American Catholic literature. Her work was deeply devotional, but it also reached a wide popular audience through magazines, newspapers, and dozens of books.
1 Audiobook
Prince Ragnal, and other holiday verses
by Eleanor C. (Eleanor Cecilia) Donnelly
About the author
Born in Philadelphia in 1838, Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly built a long literary career as a poet, short story writer, biographer, and hymn writer. She was especially associated with Catholic devotional writing, and she was known in her lifetime as "The Poet of the Pure Soul." Her writing life began early and continued for decades.
Donnelly published extensively, with sources describing her as the author of more than 80 books as well as a contributor to numerous Catholic magazines and newspapers. She also worked as an editor, including for Our Lady of Good Counsel. Her papers are preserved at Villanova University, which notes her place in Philadelphia's literary scene.
She died in 1917. Today she is remembered for the breadth of her output and for the warm, reflective religious tone that shaped much of her poetry and prose.