28 Interesting Facts about Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis (1849-1914) was a Danish-American social reformer and journalist who is best known for his work documenting the lives of impoverished immigrants in New York City during the late 19th century. Born in Ribe, Denmark, Riis immigrated to the United States in 1870 and initially struggled to make a living. He eventually found work as a reporter for the New York Tribune and began to document the living conditions of the city’s slums, which were largely inhabited by immigrants.

Riis became an influential figure in the social reform movement of the late 19th century. He published a book in 1890 called “How the Other Half Lives,” which featured photographs and descriptions of the living conditions in New York’s tenements. The book was a best-seller and helped to bring attention to the need for reform in the city’s housing policies. Riis used his platform as a journalist to advocate for better living conditions for the poor, and he also worked closely with social reformers like Jane Addams and Theodore Roosevelt to effect change.

In addition to his work as a journalist and social reformer, Riis was also a prolific photographer. He used his camera to document the living conditions of the poor in New York City and to capture images of the city’s streets and buildings. His photographs were published in magazines and newspapers, and they helped to expose the poverty and squalor that many immigrants were forced to endure. Today, Riis is considered one of the pioneers of documentary photography, and his images continue to be studied and admired by photographers and historians.

Despite his success as a journalist and social reformer, Riis faced criticism and backlash from some quarters. He was accused of sensationalism and exaggeration, and some critics questioned his motives for focusing on the plight of immigrants. Nevertheless, his work had a profound impact on American society, and it helped to pave the way for the social and political reforms of the early 20th century.

Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis

To know more about Jacob Riis, let’s take a look at these 28 interesting facts about Jacob Riis

  1. Jacob Riis was born on May 3, 1849, in Ribe, Denmark.
  2. Riis immigrated to the United States in 1870 and settled in New York City, New York.
  3. He initially struggled to make a living and worked a variety of jobs, including a laborer and a sales clerk.
  4. Riis eventually found work as a journalist and began to document the living conditions of New York’s slums.
  5. He worked for several newspapers, including the New York Tribune and the Evening Sun.
  6. Riis is best known for his book “How the Other Half Lives,” which was published in 1890.
  7. The book featured photographs and descriptions of the living conditions in New York’s tenements.
  8. “How the Other Half Lives” was a best-seller and helped to bring attention to the need for reform in the city’s housing policies.
  9. Riis was also a skilled photographer and used his camera to document the poverty and squalor of the city’s slums.
  10. He was one of the pioneers of documentary photography and his images continue to be studied and admired today.
  11. Riis worked closely with social reformers like Jane Addams and Theodore Roosevelt to effect change.
  12. He was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
  13. Riis was a strong advocate for the rights of immigrants and worked to improve their living and working conditions.
  14. He was instrumental in the creation of the New York City Tenement House Act of 1901, which set new standards for housing conditions in the city.
  15. Riis was a prolific writer and authored several books, including “The Children of the Poor” and “A Ten Years’ War.”
  16. He was a supporter of the Progressive Party and campaigned for Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 presidential election.
  17. Riis died on May 26, 1914, in Barre, Massachusetts.
  18. He is buried in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.
  19. Riis’s birthplace in Denmark is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.
  20. He was a strong believer in the power of education and worked to improve access to education for the poor and immigrants.
  21. Riis was a teetotaler and abstained from alcohol.
  22. He was a member of the Society of American Magicians.
  23. Riis was a fan of Mark Twain and the two corresponded frequently.
  24. He was also a friend of the writer and social reformer, William Dean Howells.
  25. Riis was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time outdoors.
  26. He was a member of several social clubs, including the Union League Club and the Lotos Club.
  27. Riis was married twice and had three children.
  28. He was a self-taught writer and journalist and did not attend college.

Jacob Riis was a dedicated journalist, social reformer, and photographer who used his platform to expose the harsh living conditions of New York’s impoverished immigrants in the late 19th century. His groundbreaking work, including his influential book “How the Other Half Lives,” helped to bring attention to the need for reform in the city’s housing policies and paved the way for important social and political changes in the early 20th century. Riis’s commitment to improving the lives of the poor and advocating for social justice continues to inspire people today, and his legacy as a pioneer of documentary photography and social reformer is firmly cemented in American history.