Lewis Hine

Lewis Hine, a New York City school teacher, was hired by the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) in 1908, to document the child labor that was taking place in the newly industrialized United States. He often gained access to factories by misrepresenting himself, as factory owners would not allow him to enter knowing he was attempting to stop the unethical labor practices.

Over the course of several years, he captured numerous photographs bringing these horrible conditions to the attention of the American public. Eventually, his work led to labor reforms and a better quality of life for children.

After his work with the NCLC, Hine continued taking photographs documenting the social conditions of people and events, such as the building of the Empire State Building. He too, however, found it difficult to earn money for his photographs and died penniless in 1940.

Lewis Hine Photograph