Discovering the Life and Times of Jacob Riis: A Background Information on His Early Years

Jacob Riis, a Danish-American social reformer and journalist, is widely known for his contributions in raising awareness of poverty and squalor in the New York slums at the turn of the 20th century. However, the story of his early years remains less familiar to many. In this blog post, we explore the life and times of Jacob Riis, shedding light on his upbringing, early career, and the experiences that shaped his future contributions to American society.

Entangled in Poverty

Born on May 3, 1849, in Ribe, Denmark, Jacob Riis was the third of fifteen children. His father, Niels Edward Riis, was a schoolteacher who taught Jacob from an early age, instilling in him a love for learning, writing, and reading. However, despite his father’s efforts, the family’s financial situation was dire, forcing Jacob to drop out of school at the age of eleven and work to support his family.

Life in the slums

At the age of eighteen, Jacob moved to Copenhagen, where he worked as a carpenter’s apprentice. However, the city’s squalid living conditions and rampant poverty left a lasting impression on Jacob. He later recounted that “the misery of the poor in a great city had always been real to me,” and that his “sympathies were all with them.” It was during this time in Copenhagen that Jacob encountered a group of American Salvation Army missionaries, who gave him hope for a better life and a chance to start anew.

The American Dream

In 1870, Jacob Riis sailed to America, landing in New York City with just forty dollars to his name. He worked a series of odd jobs, including as a laborer, farmhand, and hotel clerk before landing a job as a police reporter at the New York Tribune newspaper. It was here that Jacob developed his love of journalism, honed his writing skills, and began to tackle issues related to poverty, social justice, and reform.

A call to action

Throughout his career, Jacob Riis dedicated himself to improving the lives of those living in the slums of New York City. Through his writing and photography, he shed light on the appalling living conditions in the tenement buildings, revealing how families were crammed into tiny, unventilated rooms, where disease, filth, and crime were rampant. His work led to the creation of New York City Tenement Housing Act of 1901, which mandated certain standards for sanitation and safety in tenement buildings.

Conclusion

Jacob Riis was a remarkable figure who overcame poverty, adversity, and hardship to become one of America’s most prominent social reformers. His life and work are a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and dedication to a noble cause. By shedding light on the living conditions of the poor and disadvantaged, he inspired others to take action and make a difference in their communities. Jacob Riis’s legacy lives on, serving as a reminder that the fight for social justice and equality is ongoing and requires the sustained efforts of all concerned citizens.