Lewis Hine 1874 - 1940

Lewis Wickes Hine, documentary photographer and sociologist; studied sociology at University of Chicago, University of Colombia and New York University; teacher at New York Ethical Culture School, encouraging his students to take up photography, recording immigrants to United States between 1904 and 1909; became staff photographer at Russell Sage foundation, recording steel workers in Pittsburgh; joined National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) in 1908, documenting child labour conditions; during first world war he documented American Red Cross work in Europe; in 1920s and 1930s took 'work portraits' notably the construction of the Empire State building in 1930; photographed relief work of Red Cross during the Depression and work of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).