Jacob August Riis was a Danish-American social reformer, photographer, and journalist who dedicated his life to documenting and improving the living conditions of the urban poor in the United States. He was born in Ribe, Denmark in 1849 and emigrated to the United States at the age of 21. Riis quickly became a reporter for the New York Tribune and later the New York Evening Sun, where he used his writing and photography skills to expose the harsh realities of life for the poor in New York City. Riis's most famous work, How the Other Half Lives, published in 1890, was a groundbreaking book that documented the living conditions of the poor in New York City. The book contained photographs and descriptions of the cramped and unsanitary tenements where many of the city's poor lived, as well as the dangerous and exploitative working conditions they faced. The book was a wake-up call to the public and helped to bring about significant changes in housing and labor laws. In addition to his work as a journalist and photographer, Riis was also a tireless advocate for social reform. He worked closely with politicians and other activists to improve the living conditions of the poor, and his efforts helped to bring about significant changes in housing and labor laws. Riis's legacy continues to inspire social reformers today, and his work remains an important part of the history of the United States.
Jacob August Riis, social reformer, photographer, journalist, urban poor
Jacob August Riis was a Danish-American photographer, social reformer, and journalist. Born in Ribe, Denmark on May 3, 1849, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 21 in 1870. He quickly became a reporter for the New York Tribune, and later the New York Evening Sun. His early photos documented the poor living and working conditions of the urban poor in New York City. He published his documentation in his 1890 book How the Other Half Lives, which has since become a classic in urban photography and changed the way the public viewed the lives of the poor. Riis's other major works include Children of the Tenements and The Making of an American. Riis was also a major force to improve health and housing in the rapidly growing industrial cities of the United States, and his work has been seen as a major contribution to the cause of social reform in the US.
Jacob August Riis, social reformer, journalist, Denmark, photographer, New York City, urban photography, Children of the Tenements, The Making of an American.
— Mei Wang
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