Jacob August Riis: Illuminating Poverty Through Photography Jacob August Riis (1849–1914) stands as a monumental figure in the history of photography and social reform, forever altering how society perceived poverty and advocating for improved living conditions within rapidly growing urban centers. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Riis’s early life was marked by hardship – his father, a carpenter, struggled financially, fostering an empathy for the plight of working-class families that would profoundly shape his artistic vision and journalistic endeavors. Early Life & Education: Riis's upbrin…