Cincinnati’s Literary Heritage: A History for Booklovers

Since its founding in 1788, Cincinnati has treasured books and reading. While the early settlers swapped books with one another, by the early 1800s, civic leaders were envisioning the creation of a public library; in 1814, the Circulating Library Society was founded. Other libraries followed, as did bookshops and stationers. Soon, printing and publishing made Cincinnati one of America’s centers for the book trade. Ault & Wiborg became one of the world’s largest manufacturers of printing ink. The Strobridge Lithography Company produced the lion’s share of circus and show posters in the Western world. Embracing a city that has welcomed poets and playwrights, authors and booksellers–including a mobile book bus that can pop up anywhere–author Kevin Grace explores the rich heritage of reading and books in Cincinnati.