Poor Richard's Almanack was the Go-To guide for farmers from 1732, when it was first published, to around 1758. Who was Richard you might ask? Benjamin Franklin, author of the almanac, created Richard based off a 17th century London almanac maker. He also credits the name "Poor Richard" based off another almanac at that time- Poor Robin. It was published during the Age of Enlightenment (1700-1800).
An almanac is an annual calendar that contains weather predictions, important dates, local events like court dates, astrological information, tide tables, meteorological data and in the case of Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, also may contain chronology of monarchs, historical events, entertaining sayings (that Franklin was credited for although he did not author all of them), as well as stories and poems.
Farmers did not have any other way to predict weather at this time. They relied on the almanacs for weather predictions in order to decide when would be best to plant their crops. It was also a good way to determine whether to expect a wet or dry season.
Literature is defined as written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. Does Poor Richard's Almanack fall under that category? Of course! By 1758, the almanac was selling 10,000 copies per year and was the Go-To almanac for 25 years! That is definitely credible merit to me.
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