Danish-American writer, photographer, and activist (1849–1914) best known for his work in exposing and improving the squalid conditions endured by the poor in New York City. His pioneering 1891 photojournalistic volume, How the Other Half Lives, remains a touchstone in the history of both urban photography and social reform. Six ALS and one partial TLS, signed “Jacob A. Riis” (five) and “J. A. Riis,” various lengths and formats, 1900–1903. Riis writes to various recipients on his health, work, and personal matters. Some excerpts: “I am glad you liked the ‘auto.’ Truly, I like to write it, and I shudder at what is coming. It is easy to write of the old days. The new are all a muddle to me. But that riddle will be solved as so many other, when it has to be. I have been working very hard this winter—and I am so glad that the work I can do is still in line with what we both want to do … and I have saved up several hundred dollars, maybe nearly a thousand…. I [hope] that I may with a reasonably clear conscience ask for my retirement [as General Agent of the Council of Confederated Good Government Clubs] to private life and a needed rest, when with the adjournment of the legislature my year of service is up…. In the end we can’t lose, and that which you and your colleagues have contributed to the betterment of New York no one can take from us. It is permanent. I would rather go under a hundred times with the record of the … administration than with … Tammany…. I suppose you have heard that I am ill. It was the night of our meeting with the Tenement House … that I was seized with heart trouble on my way home…. I suppose I have overdone things a little in the past, and I will just have to get used to the slower pace, that is all…. I have never had time to make money…. Even if I have to drop out of the ranks, they will close right up and go on. After all you are the workers, and this is your day. I had mine and enjoyed it…. The day I traveled out of Chicago, I read in the Tribune that a model tenement was to be guild adjoining the Hull House by a lady whom I had talked with at dinner, on ‘the plan of the admirable model tenement erected in New York under the supervision of Mr. Jacob A. Riis.’ I fumed, but what is the use…. I want you to know that I discourage the notion that I created the world…. I have lots of literary work to do as soon as I get my head … back to do it with….“ Scattered light handling wear, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
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