Photographer Lewis W. Hine (1874-1940) was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin Photographer Lewis W. Hine (1874-1940) was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He studied sociology at Chicago and New York universities, becoming a teacher, then took up photography as a means of expressing his social concerns. His first photo essay featured Ellis Island immigrants. In 1908, Hine left his teaching position for a full-time job as an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee, which was then conducting a major campaign against the exploitation of American children. From 1908 to 1912, Hine took his camera across America to photograph children as young as three years old working for long hours, often under dangerous conditions, in factories, mines, and fields. Hine was an immensely talented photographer who viewed his young subjects with the eye of a humanitarian. .

Furman Owens, 12 years old. Can't read. Doesn't know his A,B,C's Furman Owens, 12 years old. Can't read. Doesn't know his A,B,C's. Said, "Yes I want to learn but can't when I work all the time." Been in the mills 4 years, 3 years in the Olympia Mill. Columbia, S.C

Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins. Bibb Mill No. 1. Macon, Ga.

A small newsie downtown on a Saturday afternoon. St. Louis, Mo. Mid

A group of newsies selling on Capitol steps A group of newsies selling on Capitol steps. Tony, age 8, Dan, 9, Joseph, 10, and John, age 11. Washington, D.C.

Michael McNelis, age 8, a newsboy [with photographer Hine] Michael McNelis, age 8, a newsboy [with photographer Hine]. This boy has just recovered from his second attack of pneumonia. Was found selling papers in a big rain storm. Philadelphia, Pa.

At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up. The cage is entirely open on two sides and not very well protected on the other two, and is usually crowded like this. The small boy in front is Jo Puma. S. Pittston, Pa

View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pa. Coal Co View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pa. Coal Co. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience. S. Pittston, Pa.

Breaker boys, Hughestown Borough Pa. Coal Co Breaker boys, Hughestown Borough Pa. Coal Co. One of these is James Leonard, another is Stanley Rasmus. Pittston, Pa.

9 p.m. in an Indiana Glass Works.

Some of the young knitters in London Hosiery Mills. London, Tenn.

Day scene. Wheaton Glass Works. Boy is Howard Lee Day scene. Wheaton Glass Works. Boy is Howard Lee. His mother showed me the family record in Bible which gave his birth as July 15, 1894. 15 years old now, but has been in glass works two years and some nights. Millville, N.J.

Manuel the young shrimp picker, age 5, and a mountain of child labor oyster shells behind him. He understands not a word of English. Biloxi, Miss.

At 5 p. m. , boys going home from Monougal Glass Works At 5 p.m., boys going home from Monougal Glass Works. One boy remarked, "De place is lousey wid kids." Fairmont, W. Va.

Lewis W. Hine’s most famous picture: Construction of the Empire state building