Jacob A. Riis 
The Children of the Poor 

In Jacob A. Riis’ book ‘The Children of the Poor, ‘ the reader is brought into the impoverished world of New York City tenements in the late 19th century through Riis’ stark and heartfelt photographs and accompanying writing. This compelling work shines a light on the harsh living conditions and struggles faced by the children of the poor, highlighting the urgent need for social reform and compassion. Riis employs a straightforward and informative literary style, combining investigative journalism with poignant storytelling to convey the gravity of the situation. This book serves as a valuable primary source for understanding social issues of the time and the beginnings of documentary photography. Jacob A. Riis, a Danish-American journalist and social reformer, drew from his own experiences of poverty and homelessness to bring attention to the plight of marginalized communities in New York City. His dedication to exposing social injustices led him to produce ‘The Children of the Poor, ‘ a pioneering work that spurred societal change and paved the way for future investigative journalism. I highly recommend ‘The Children of the Poor’ to readers interested in history, social reform, and documentary photography. Riis’ impactful portrayal of poverty and resilience serves as a reminder of the power of visual storytelling in advocating for social justice.

About the author

Jacob August Riis (1849 – 1914) was a Danish-American journalist, social reformer, and photographer who became a pioneer in utilizing photography to shed light on the abject conditions of the urban poor in America. A seminal figure in muckraking journalism, Riis is best known for his book ‘How the Other Half Lives’ (1890), which brought attention to the squalid living conditions in New York City tenements. His other notable work, ‘The Children of the Poor’ (1892), offers a poignant continuation of his earlier investigations by focusing specifically on the plight of impoverished children. Combining narrative and investigative journalism with evocative photography, Riis’s work helped to spearhead progressive reforms in housing policy and child labor laws. His literary style interweaves his photographic evidence with emotive storytelling, leveraging his personal experiences as an immigrant and reporter to draw attention to social inequities. Riis’s impact on both journalism and social policy at the turn of the 20th century marked him as a key figure in the Progressive Era’s efforts to improve urban life. His commitment to social justice and his innovative use of photography in advocacy establish him as a significant pioneer in the field of photojournalism.