Philadelphia Inquirer - Revision history

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	\|description=Complete guide to The Philadelphia Inquirer, founded 1829 and winner of 20 Pulitzer Prizes. History, ownership by the Lenfest Institute, journalism legacy, and how to subscribe.		\|description=Complete guide to The Philadelphia Inquirer, founded 1829 and winner of 20 Pulitzer Prizes. History, ownership by the Lenfest Institute, journalism legacy, and how to subscribe.
	\|keywords=Philadelphia Inquirer, oldest newspaper Philadelphia, Pulitzer Prize newspaper, Philadelphia news, Inquirer history, Lenfest Institute journalism, investigative journalism Philadelphia		\|keywords=Philadelphia Inquirer, oldest newspaper Philadelphia, Pulitzer Prize newspaper, Philadelphia news, Inquirer history, Lenfest Institute journalism, investigative journalism Philadelphia
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 {{Infobox LocalBusiness
 | name = The Philadelphia Inquirer
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 * [https://www.inquirer.com The Philadelphia Inquirer]
 * [https://www.lenfestinstitute.org The Lenfest Institute for Journalism]
 [[Category:Media]]

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|title=The Philadelphia Inquirer - Philadelphia's Oldest Newspaper
|description=Complete guide to The Philadelphia Inquirer, founded 1829 and winner of 20 Pulitzer Prizes. History, ownership by the Lenfest Institute, journalism legacy, and how to subscribe.
|keywords=Philadelphia Inquirer, oldest newspaper Philadelphia, Pulitzer Prize newspaper, Philadelphia news, Inquirer history, Lenfest Institute journalism, investigative journalism Philadelphia
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{"@type":"Question","name":"How many Pulitzer Prizes has the Philadelphia Inquirer won?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Philadelphia Inquirer has won 20 Pulitzer Prizes, placing it among the most decorated newspapers in American history. Between 1975-1990 under editor Gene Roberts, it won 17 Pulitzers."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Philadelphia Inquirer known for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Inquirer is known for investigative journalism, comprehensive local news coverage, Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture criticism by Inga Saffron, sports coverage, and political reporting."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns the Philadelphia Inquirer?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, a nonprofit organization, owns The Inquirer. Philadelphia philanthropist Gerry Lenfest donated it in 2016 with a $20 million endowment."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the Philadelphia Inquirer a nonprofit?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Lenfest Institute (nonprofit) owns The Inquirer, which operates as a for-profit public benefit corporation. This unique structure allows editorial independence, including political endorsements, while prioritizing public service journalism."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"What happened to the Philadelphia Daily News?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Philadelphia Daily News, founded in 1925, was formally merged with The Inquirer in 2020. The tabloid ceased to exist as a separate publication, though some features and columnists were absorbed into The Inquirer."}},
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| name = The Philadelphia Inquirer
| image =
| image_caption = The Philadelphia Inquirer
| type = Daily newspaper
| address = 801 Market Street
| neighborhood = Center City
| coordinates = 39.9510,-75.1530
| phone = (215) 854-2000
| website = https://www.inquirer.com
| established = 1829
| founder = John R. Walker and John Norvell
| owner = The Lenfest Institute for Journalism
| employees =
| hours =
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'''The Philadelphia Inquirer''' is a daily newspaper serving [[Philadelphia]] and the surrounding region. Founded in 1829, it is one of the oldest continuously published daily newspapers in the United States and the largest American newspaper owned by a nonprofit organization. The Inquirer has won '''20 Pulitzer Prizes''', including three in the past decade, making it one of the most decorated newspapers in American journalism history.<ref name="lenfest">{{cite web |url=https://www.lenfestinstitute.org/our-work/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=The Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=The Lenfest Institute for Journalism |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

The newspaper is owned by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, a nonprofit organization that acquired the publication in 2016 from Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest. This ownership structure—a for-profit newspaper owned by a nonprofit—has become a model for sustainable local journalism that has inspired similar arrangements in cities across the country.

== History ==

=== Founding ===

The Philadelphia Inquirer was founded on '''June 1, 1829''', by John R. Walker and John Norvell as ''The Pennsylvania Inquirer''. The newspaper has published continuously for nearly 200 years, surviving the Civil War, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the digital revolution that devastated many American newspapers.

'''Key Dates:'''
* '''1829''' - Founded as ''The Pennsylvania Inquirer''
* '''1860''' - Name changed to ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''
* '''1936''' - Purchased by Moses Annenberg
* '''1969''' - Walter Annenberg sells to Knight Newspapers
* '''1975-1990''' - "Golden Age" under editor Gene Roberts
* '''2006''' - Sold to Philadelphia Media Network
* '''2014''' - Purchased by Gerry Lenfest
* '''2016''' - Donated to The Lenfest Institute for Journalism

=== The Gene Roberts Era ===

The Inquirer experienced its most celebrated period under executive editor Gene Roberts (1972-1990). During this "Golden Age," the newspaper won 17 Pulitzer Prizes—including six consecutive years of awards from 1975-1980—more than any other newspaper in America during that period.

Time magazine named The Inquirer one of the ten best daily newspapers in the United States. The newspaper's investigative reporting, international coverage, and literary journalism set new standards for American newspapers.

== Pulitzer Prizes ==

=== Awards ===

The Philadelphia Inquirer has won '''20 Pulitzer Prizes''', placing it among the most decorated newspapers in American history.<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philadelphia_Inquirer |title=The Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

'''Recent Pulitzer Prizes:'''
* '''2014''' - Criticism (Inga Saffron, architecture critic)
* '''2012''' - Public Service (coverage of violence in Philadelphia schools)
* '''1997''' - Explanatory Journalism

'''Historic Achievement:'''
Between 1975 and 1990, The Inquirer won 17 Pulitzer Prizes, including awards for:
* Investigative reporting
* National reporting
* International reporting
* Feature writing
* Editorial writing
* Commentary
* Criticism
* Photography

The newspaper was also a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist for its coverage of Philadelphia's gun violence crisis.

=== Notable Coverage ===

The Philadelphia Inquirer is known for:

* '''Investigative journalism''' - Award-winning investigations into local corruption, institutional failures, and public interest issues
* '''Local news coverage''' - Comprehensive reporting on Philadelphia city government, schools, crime, and community issues
* '''Architecture criticism''' - Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage by Inga Saffron
* '''Sports coverage''' - Deep coverage of Philadelphia's major sports teams
* '''Political reporting''' - Coverage of Pennsylvania politics and national issues

== Ownership ==

=== The Lenfest Institute ===

The Philadelphia Inquirer is owned by '''The Lenfest Institute for Journalism''', a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing sustainable models for local news. The Inquirer itself operates as a for-profit public benefit corporation owned by the nonprofit institute.

This unique structure—the largest American newspaper owned by a nonprofit—was created in 2016 when Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest donated the newspaper to the newly-created institute along with a $20 million endowment.

=== Ownership Structure ===

The Inquirer's ownership structure is nuanced:

* '''The Lenfest Institute for Journalism''' is a nonprofit organization
* '''The Philadelphia Inquirer''' operates as a for-profit public benefit corporation
* The nonprofit institute owns the for-profit newspaper

This arrangement allows The Inquirer to maintain editorial independence, including the ability to endorse political candidates (which pure nonprofits cannot do), while being supported by a nonprofit mission focused on public service journalism.

The Lenfest Institute provides funding, strategic support, and a public-interest ownership framework that prioritizes journalism over shareholder returns. This model has inspired similar nonprofit ownership structures at newspapers in Baltimore, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Lancaster, and other cities.

== The Philadelphia Daily News ==

The Philadelphia Daily News was a tabloid newspaper that operated alongside The Inquirer for decades. In 2020, the two publications were formally merged, with the Daily News ceasing to exist as a separate publication.

'''History:'''
* The Daily News was founded in 1925
* Known for its bold headlines, sports coverage, and working-class perspective
* Shared ownership with The Inquirer since the 1970s
* Merged with The Inquirer in 2020

Some Daily News features and columnists were absorbed into The Inquirer. The tabloid's distinctive voice is occasionally echoed in The Inquirer's coverage, but the Daily News brand no longer exists as a standalone publication.

== Current Operations ==

=== Publication Schedule ===

'''Yes''', The Philadelphia Inquirer publishes seven days a week, both in print and online at inquirer.com.

=== Print Edition ===

'''Yes''', The Philadelphia Inquirer continues to publish a daily print edition, though like most newspapers, its primary readership has shifted to digital. The print edition is available at newsstands, in stores, and through home delivery subscription.

=== Circulation ===

The Inquirer's circulation has declined significantly from its peak in the 1990s, following industry-wide trends. The newspaper now focuses on digital subscriptions alongside its print offerings. Combined print and digital readership reaches hundreds of thousands of readers throughout the Philadelphia region.

=== Subscriptions ===

Subscriptions are available at '''inquirer.com''' or by calling customer service:

'''Subscription Options:'''
* Digital-only subscription (full website access)
* Print + digital subscription (home delivery plus online access)
* Sunday-only print subscription

The website offers various promotional rates for new subscribers.

== Leadership ==

'''Current Leadership (as of 2024):'''
* '''Publisher:''' Elizabeth H. Hughes
* '''Editor and Senior Vice President:''' Gabriel Escobar
* '''Managing Editors:''' Charlotte Sutton, Patrick Kerkstra, Richard G. Jones, Michael Huang, Kate Dailey, Danese Kenon

== See Also ==

* [[Philadelphia Tribune]]
* [[Philadelphia Media]]
* [[Media in Philadelphia]]
* [[Benjamin Franklin]] (published Pennsylvania Gazette)

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://www.inquirer.com The Philadelphia Inquirer]
* [https://www.lenfestinstitute.org The Lenfest Institute for Journalism]

[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Newspapers]]
[[Category:Center City]]
[[Category:Historic Businesses]]