Jacob August Riis
- Born:
- May 3, 1849, Ribe, Denmark
- Died:
- May 26, 1914, Barre, Massachusetts, USA
- Nationality:
- Danish-American
- Profession(s):
- Social Reformer, Muckraking Journalist, Photographer, Writer
Early Life and Education
- Emigrated to the United States in 1870.
- Initially worked various manual labor jobs.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his journalism career at the New York Tribune.
- Became a police reporter for the New York Evening Sun in 1877.
- Used his position to investigate and expose the living conditions of the poor in New York City.
- Pioneered the use of flash photography to document urban poverty, resulting in powerful imagery.
- Lectured extensively on social reform issues, often using his photographs as visual aids.
- Advocated for improved housing, sanitation, and education.
- His work inspired reform legislation and philanthropic initiatives.
Notable Works
- How the Other Half Lives (1890): A landmark work of photojournalism and social commentary, showcasing, through text and images, the devastating poverty of New York City's slums. Many Jacob Riis photographs tenements served as the visual core of this book.
- The Children of the Poor (1892)
- Out of Mulberry Street: Stories of Tenement Life (1898)
- The Making of an American (1901) (autobiography)
- Collection of Photographic Prints and Negatives at the Museum of the City of New York
Legacy and Impact
Jacob Riis's pioneering use of photography as a tool for social reform had a lasting impact on journalism, urban planning, and social activism. His work exposed the harsh realities of poverty and inspired significant reforms to improve the lives of the urban poor.