Jacob Riis was a Danish American journalist and photographer born on March 5, 1849 in Ribe, Denmark. He is best known for his efforts to improve the living conditions of impoverished residents in New York City through his writing and photography.
At the age of 21, Riis immigrated to the United States in 1870, seeking a better life and opportunities in the New World. He settled in New York City and soon became aware of the harsh realities faced by the city's most vulnerable populations.
Riis began working as a journalist, writing for various newspapers and publications. It was during this time that he started to document the living conditions of the poor in New York City tenements. His firsthand experiences and observations inspired him to use his platform to advocate for social reform and raise awareness about the struggles faced by the city's marginalized communities.
One of Riis' most famous works is "How the Other Half Lives: Studies among the Tenements of New York," published in 1890. This groundbreaking piece of photojournalism highlighted the squalid living conditions of the impoverished residents of New York City and is credited as the basis for muckraking journalism, exposing corruption and social injustices.
Riis is considered one of the fathers of photography for his early adoption of flash photography techniques. His use of flash allowed him to capture images in the dimly lit tenements, providing a vivid and stark portrayal of the living conditions of the poor.
Throughout his career, Riis continued to use his photography to shed light on social issues and advocate for reform. His work had a lasting impact on the field of journalism and helped to pave the way for future investigative journalists.
Riis was married twice, with his second wife, Mary Phillips, surviving him by 53 years. He was known to be a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, and even wrote a campaign biography of him.
Despite facing his own challenges as an immigrant in a new country, Riis dedicated his life to shining a light on the injustices and inequalities faced by the poor and marginalized communities in New York City. His work continues to inspire and inform efforts to address social issues and promote positive change.
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