Jacob A. Riis 
How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York 

Jacob A. Riis’s groundbreaking work, ‘How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York, ‘ delves deep into the harsh realities of urban poverty in late 19th-century New York City. Through a combination of investigative journalism and firsthand experiences, Riis sheds light on the deplorable living conditions endured by the city’s immigrant population. Written in a straightforward and descriptive style, the book incorporates photographs taken by Riis himself, making it a pioneering example of photojournalism. This work serves as a stark indictment of social inequality and a call to action for societal reform. Riis’s detailed accounts of overcrowded tenements, inadequate sanitation, and dire working conditions provide a sobering look into the lives of those marginalized by society. His emphasis on the power of visual storytelling adds depth and impact to his narrative, prompting readers to confront uncomfortable truths about poverty and urban living in America’s past. ‘How the Other Half Lives’ is a compelling and poignant read that continues to resonate with readers today, offering valuable insights into the challenges faced by marginalized communities and the importance of social reform.

About the author

Jacob August Riis (1849–1914) was a Danish-American social reformer, journalist, and photographer whose work focused on the plight of the urban poor. A pioneer in the use of photography as a means of social reform, Riis immigrated to the United States in 1870 and faced poverty himself before achieving success as a reporter for the New York Tribune. His most renowned work, ‘How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York’ (1890), exposed the squalid and dangerous living conditions in the slums of New York City through stark photographs and detailed observations, helping to initiate the Progressive Era. Riis’s book combined photojournalism with moralistic storytelling, making it a groundbreaking contribution to the muckraking movement in American journalism. By revealing the human suffering behind urban poverty, Riis’s advocacy helped to spur housing reform and improvements in living conditions for the underprivileged. His vivid descriptions and haunting imagery elicited an empathetic response from the public and influenced fellow reformers, including his friend, President Theodore Roosevelt. Riis’s literary style merged reportage with a passionate call for reform, and his narratives remain a powerful historical window into the lives of the urban poor at the turn of the 20th century.