Lewis Hine

Date of Birth: September 26, 1874

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 3, 1940

Biography

Lewis Wickes Hine was an influential American photographer and sociologist born on September 26, 1874, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Known for his powerful images that documented social issues, Hine played a pivotal role in changing public perceptions and influencing policy, particularly regarding child labor laws. Hine initially pursued a career in education and earned a degree in sociology from the University of Chicago. He later became a teacher at the Ethical Culture School in New York City, where he picked up photography to document his students and their activities. His interest in photography grew, and he eventually left teaching to focus on it full-time. In 1908, Hine was hired by the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) to document child labor conditions in the United States. His harrowing and poignant images of children working in factories, mines, and fields brought national attention to the plight of child workers and were instrumental in the eventual passage of child labor laws. Hine’s work wasn’t limited to child labor. He also photographed immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, the construction of the Empire State Building, and the conditions of workers during the Great Depression under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). His ability to humanize his subjects and bring their stories to the forefront made him one of the most important documentary photographers of his time. Lewis Hine passed away on November 3, 1940, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

5 Interesting Facts about Lewis Hine

1. Lewis Hine used his sociological background to inform his photography, making his work deeply empathetic and impactful.

2. He often went undercover, posing as a fire inspector or other laborer, to gain access to factories and mills where child labor was prevalent.

3. Hine’s photographs of the construction of the Empire State Building are some of the most iconic images of American industrialization.

4. His work was crucial in the establishment of laws regulating child labor in the United States.

5. Despite his significant contributions to photography and social reform, Hine struggled financially and professionally later in life, passing away in relative obscurity.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lewis Hine

1. “If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug a camera.”

2. “While photographs may not lie, liars may photograph.”

3. “There are two things I wanted to do. I wanted to show the things that had to be corrected; I wanted to show the things that had to be appreciated.”

4. “Photography can light-up darkness and expose ignorance.”

5. “I wanted to do something positive to help the world, and I thought that photography might be effective.”