Lewis Wickes Hine | American, 1874 - 1940
Lewis Wickes Hine was born in Wisconsin in 1874. He was as much a pioneer for social reform as he was a brilliant photographer. Hine began his career as a documentary photographer capturing the poverty of stricken immigrants as they entered Ellis Island. He began a project of extreme social significance in 1908 as he documented the conditions of sweat shops and child labor in factories. This produced 2 books on the subject and aided passing legislation to protect children. After this success Hine began working for the American Red Cross during the First World War photographing the living conditions of French and Belgian civilians suffering from the impact of war. This work led to the publishing of another book. While Hine was hired for numerous assignments he had an extremely difficult time earning enough money from his photography. In January of 1940 his home was foreclosed and eleven months later he died in extreme poverty.
Lewis Wickes Hine was born in Wisconsin in 1874. He was as much a pioneer for social reform as he was a brilliant photographer. Hine began his career as a documentary photographer capturing the poverty of stricken immigrants as they entered Ellis Island. He began a project of extreme social significance in 1908 as he documented the conditions of sweat shops and child labor in factories. This produced 2 books on the subject and aided passing legislation to protect children. After this success Hine began working for the American Red Cross during the First World War photographing the living conditions of French and Belgian civilians suffering from the impact of war. This work led to the publishing of another book. While Hine was hired for numerous assignments he had an extremely difficult time earning enough money from his photography. In January of 1940 his home was foreclosed and eleven months later he died in extreme poverty.