The Peril and the Preservation of the Home / Being the William L. Bull Lectures for the Year 1903

Name: The Peril and the Preservation of the Home / Being the William L. Bull Lectures for the Year 1903
Author: Jacob A. Riis

By Jacob A. Riis

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About This Book

A series of lectures examines threats to domestic stability in American society, diagnosing how poverty, overcrowded tenements, and civic indifference undermine family life. The author surveys historical causes and municipal failures, documents slum conditions and model housing experiments, and analyzes social, economic, and moral dimensions through a Christian social perspective. The work argues for practical remedies—housing reform, public health measures, education, and civic responsibility—while urging philanthropic and governmental cooperation to preserve home life. Vivid case studies and proposals aim to mobilize readers toward preventative and constructive civic action.

About the Author

Jacob A. Riis

Jacob A. Riis was a Danish-American social reformer, journalist, and photographer, best known for his pioneering work in documenting the lives of the urban poor in New York City during the late 19th century. His influential book, "How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York," brought attention to the harsh realities faced by impoverished communities and played a significant role in the progressive movement for social reform. Riis utilized his skills in photography to capture the struggles of tenement life, advocating for better living conditions and social justice. His writings, including "A Ten Years' War" and "Children of the Tenements," continue to resonate, highlighting the importance of empathy and activism in addressing social issues.