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Jacob A. Riis 

Jacob A. Riis 

Danish-born Jacob Riis (1849-1914) was a journalist, social reformer, and social documentary photographer. He is best known for his 1890 book How the Other Half Lives, which brought public attention to New York's squalid housing, sweatshops, bars, and alleys. The Museum holds the complete collection that Riis used in his writing and lecturing career, including images he made, commissioned, or acquired. These depict men, women, and children of all nationalities at home, work, and leisure. This collection contains vintage prints, glass-plate negatives, and lantern slides, as well as a set of recently produced prints from all of Riis's original negatives. 


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Jacob A. Riis 
The Church Street Station Lodging-room, in which I [Jacob A. Riis] was robbed.

The Church Street Station Lodging-room, in which I [Jacob A. Riis] was robbed.

Athletic meets in Crotona Park.

Athletic meets in Crotona Park.

Bandits' Roost - a Mulberry Bend Alley.

Bandits' Roost - a Mulberry Bend Alley.

Talmud School in a Hester Street Tenement.

Talmud School in a Hester Street Tenement.

Prayer-time in the Nursery - Five Points House of Industry.

Prayer-time in the Nursery - Five Points House of Industry.

Men's lodging room in West 47th Street Station.

Men's lodging room in West 47th Street Station.

Necktie workshop in a Division Street tenement.

Necktie workshop in a Division Street tenement.

Bottle Alley, Baxter Street.

Bottle Alley, Baxter Street.

Manual Training Class, Public School.

Manual Training Class, Public School.

A Downtown "Morgue."

A Downtown "Morgue."

Paper bags.

Paper bags.

The Riverside Tenements in Brooklyn.

The Riverside Tenements in Brooklyn.

Main Entrance of Public School 153 Bronx.

Main Entrance of Public School 153 Bronx.

2 a.m. in the delivery room in the "Sun" office.

2 a.m. in the delivery room in the "Sun" office.

"Knee-pants" at forty five cents a dozen -- A Ludlow Street Sweater's Shop.

"Knee-pants" at forty five cents a dozen -- A Ludlow Street Sweater's Shop.

Lodgers in a crowded Bayard Street tenement - "Five cents a spot."

Lodgers in a crowded Bayard Street tenement - "Five cents a spot."

Court at No. 24 Baxter Street.

Court at No. 24 Baxter Street.

Organized Charity. Night Messenger Service.

Organized Charity. Night Messenger Service.

[Lower East Side Street Scene.]

[Lower East Side Street Scene.]

Public School 175 in the Bronx, Jerome Avenue north of 184th Street.

Public School 175 in the Bronx, Jerome Avenue north of 184th Street.

Two Greek children in Gotham Court debating if Santa Claus will get to their alley or not. He did.

Two Greek children in Gotham Court debating if Santa Claus will get to their alley or not. He did.

2 a.m. in the delivery room in the "Sun" office.

2 a.m. in the delivery room in the "Sun" office.

Typical Tenement Fire escape, serving as an extension of the "flat" -- Allen Street.

Typical Tenement Fire escape, serving as an extension of the "flat" -- Allen Street.

[Police Station Lodger.]

[Police Station Lodger.]

The Same Street when Colonel Waring wielded the Broom.

The Same Street when Colonel Waring wielded the Broom.

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