Lewis+W.+Hine

Lewis W. Hine
Lewis W.Hine was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1874. He studied sociology at the University of Chicago, Columbia University and New York University. He later became a teacher at the New York City Ethical Culture School. He encouraged his students to use photography to further their education. He took his students on field trips to Ellis Island to photograph immigrants who arrived each day. Hine took over 200 photographs (plates) between 1904 and 1909, where he soon realized his gift for photojournalism.

Hines became a social photographer and in 1907, he became the hired photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) where he documented child labor in America. He took these pictures to show the Country the tragedy of child labor.

Following the World War, Hine documented the American Red Cross relief work in Europe.

In the 1920s and 1930s Hine documented the construction of the Empire State Building, emphasizing mans contribution to the modern industry. He put his life at risk, hanging off of buildings, to capture the modern man at work.

During the Great Depression, Hine worked again for the Red Cross, photographing the relief efforts in Southern United States for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He was also named chief photographer for the Works Progress Administration’s National Research Project. He documented the study of the industry and the effects of employment.

Lewis W. Hine devoted his life to pursuing a cause he cared deeply about; the harsh truth of child labor, the American worker and relief efforts following war and devastation. He used the art of photography to aid a social movement, which he strongly believed in.