In 1996, a statue of Ignatius J. Reilly was unveiled in New Orleans, commemorating the character and the cultural impact of the book.

A rare first edition copy can sell for between $7,500 and $10,000, while a signed copy is preserved at the Historic New Orleans Collection for public viewing.

Gottlieb expressed regret over rejecting the manuscript in his memoir, calling it his 'most conspicuous failure.'

Toole's mother, Thelma, played a pivotal role in the book's publication, tirelessly bringing the manuscript to various publishers until she found success with Walker Percy.

John Kennedy Toole's novel 'A Confederacy of Dunces,' featuring the eccentric character Ignatius J. Reilly, was published posthumously in 1980 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, making Toole one of only three authors to receive this honor after death.

Toole wrote most of the novel while stationed in Puerto Rico during his Army service from 1961 to 1963.

Ignatius J. Reilly's character is partially based on Toole's friend, Bob Byrne, who shared similar traits and experiences with the protagonist.

The manuscript was initially rejected by Simon & Schuster's Robert Gottlieb, who acknowledged Toole's talent but claimed it 'wasn't really about anything,' a decision he later regretted.

Numerous attempts to adapt 'A Confederacy of Dunces' into a film have been made, but none have succeeded, leading some, including director Stephen Soderbergh, to label the project as 'cursed.'

Despite Toole's literary success, his earlier work 'The Neon Bible' was published posthumously in 1989 against Thelma Toole's wishes, resulting in family disputes over profits.

Initially published by Louisiana State University Press with a modest print run of just 2,500 copies, 'A Confederacy of Dunces' has since become a rare and valuable collector's item.

The novel achieved immense popularity, selling over 2 million copies and being translated into more than 24 languages.

The title references Jonathan Swift's essay, suggesting that true geniuses, like Ignatius J. Reilly, are often opposed by those less gifted.