Jacob Riis - Images

      


In Jacob Riis' time, the tough life of the immigrand worker was largely unknown to the American public. His book, How the Other Half Lives, was extremely influential in educating these ignorant masses and swaying public policy towards the eventual creation of worker's rights statutes. Riis' images portrayed humbled peoples who were still "yearning to breath free," something most Americans thought they were guaranteed by the Stature of Liberty. His works helped bring the poverty of New York's Lower East Side to the limelight and rally political support for change.

Gallery Of Jacob Riis Images