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(Clockwise from left) A mural at the Free Library of Philadelphia; the Maurice Sendack Gallery at the Rosenbach Museum and Libary; and the Free Library's facade. (Photos by J. Smith, M. Edlow and K. Ciappa)

In honor of Everything is Illuminated author Jonathan Safran Foer’s lecture tonight at the Central Branch of the Free Library, today’s Thanksgiving spotlight belongs to Philadelphia’s publishing and literary legacy…for which we’re forever thankful.

Dear Bookworms and Media Mongers,

Free speech never sounded so good. The Birthplace of Independence can really get the creative juices flowin’.

1. Ben Franklin wrote and published the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack. Franklin Court exhibits an example of the printing press he used.

2. The detective and mystery novel was created by Edgar Allan Poe when he lived in Philadelphia. Some of his most famous (and eerie) works include The Black Cat, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.

3. The Philadelphia Inquirer has churned out several top-selling authors. Jennifer Weiner (author of blockbuster bestsellers Good in Bed, In Her Shoes and Certain Girls), Steve Lopez (author of The Soloist) and John Grogan (author of Marley & Me) all wrote for the newspaper.

4. Monster alert! The Rosenbach Museum & Library holds the world’s largest collection of works by Where the Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak.

(From left) A bookish gallery at the Rosenbach; and a mural of Edgar Allan Poe. (Photos courtesy of the Rosenbach Museum and Library and courtesy of B. Krist)

5. The title of the nation’s oldest African-American newspaper belongs to The Philadelphia Tribune.

6. Before Vogue, Elle and Bazaar, there was Godey’s Lady’s Book, the first successful women’s magazine, published in Philadelphia beginning in 1830.

7. The Curtis Publishing Company, founded in Philadelphia, became one of the largest and most influential publishers in the United States during the early 20th century. Its publications included Ladies’ Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post, among others.

8. Philadelphia Gay News, established in 1975, is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected gay newspapers.

9. The Rare Books Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia boasts 100,000 books and manuscripts, including works by Charles Dickens, A. B. Frost, Munro Leaf and Howard Pyle.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

The Official Philly Brag Book [gophila.com]