Riis, Jacob A. (Jacob August), 1849-1914

Journalist, author, and humanitarian.

From the description of Jacob A. Riis papers, 1870-1990 (bulk 1887-1913). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71060723

Reformer, journalist, author.

From the description of Papers of Jacob A. Riis [manuscript], 1899-1914. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647814455

Jacob A. Riis, journalist and social reformer, was born in Denmark and moved to the United States at 21. He became a reporter for the New York tribune, 1877-1890, and the New York evening sun, 1890-1899. He was an activist for various reforms, such as cleaning up slums, child labor laws, and improved schools. His books include How the other half lives (1890), his autobiography, The making of an American (1901), and a biography of Theodore Roosevelt (1904).

From the description of Jacob A. Riis letters, 1899-1904. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 61113123

Jacob August Riis (1849-1914) was a journalist, author, social reformer, and photographer. He was born in Denmark and emigrated to the U.S. in 1870. While working as a reporter for the New York Tribune, he began his crusade to improve urban life. His efforts to ameliorate conditions in the slums included campaigns for effective child-labor laws and building codes. Riis worked at the Tribune until 1888 when he became a police reporter at the Evening Sun. After his retirement in 1899, he continued to write books and articles and lectured extensively. Riis and his second wife, Mary Phillips, moved to a farm in Barre, Massachusetts in 1911.

From the guide to the Jacob Riis papers, 1871-1916, 1900-1910, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Journalist, reformer, and author, of New York, N.Y.

From the description of Papers, 1900-1910. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20121460

Police reporter, reformer, photojournalist.

From the description of Photographs, [ca. 1890-1910] (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155487140

Jacob August Riis (1849-1914) was a journalist, author, social reformer, and photographer.

He was born in Denmark and emigrated to the U.S. in 1870. While working as a reporter for the New York Tribune, he began his crusade to improve urban life. His efforts to ameliorate conditions in the slums included campaigns for effective child-labor laws and building codes. Riis worked at the Tribune until 1888 when he became a police reporter at the Evening Sun. After his retirement in 1899, he continued to write books and articles and lectured extensively. Riis and his second wife, Mary Phillips, moved to a farm in Barre, Massachusetts in 1911.

From the description of Jacob Riis papers, 1871-1916, bulk (1900-1910). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122378768

Biographical Note

• 1849, May 3: Born, Ribe, Denmark
• 1860s: Educated in private Latin schools, Ribe, Denmark
• 1870: Emigrated to America
• 1874: Began work for the South Brooklyn News, a weekly newspaper operated by the local Democratic Party
• 1876: Married Elisabeth D. Nielsen (died 1905)
• 1877 - 1888 : Police reporter, New York Tribune
• 1888 - 1899 : Police reporter, New York Evening Sun; began lecturing on life in the slums
• 1890: Published How the Other Half Lives. New York: Charles Scribner’s sons
• 1892: Published The Children of the Poor. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons
• 1897: Secretary, New York Small Parks Commission
• 1901: Published The Making of an American. New York: Macmillan Co.
• 1902: Published The Battle with the Slum. New York: Macmillian Co.
• 1903: Published Children of the Tenements. New York: Macmillian Co.
• 1904: Published Theodore Roosevelt, The Citizen. New York: Outlook Co.
• 1907: Married Mary Phillips
• 1910: Published Hero Tales of the Far North. New York: Macmillian Co.
• 1914, May 26: Died, Barre, Mass.

From the guide to the Jacob A. Riis Papers, 1870-1990, (bulk 1887-1913), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)