Timeline

The life and career of Lewis Hine, 1874–1940

1874

Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on September 26

1901

Moves to New York City to teach at the Ethical Culture School

1904

Begins photographing immigrants arriving at Ellis Island

1907

Becomes a staff photographer for the Russell Sage Foundation and contributes to the Pittsburgh Survey

1908

Leaves teaching to become investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee

1912

The federal Children's Bureau is established, aided by the reform campaign his photographs supported

1918

Photographs refugees and relief work in Europe for the American Red Cross during and after World War I

1920

Makes "Power House Mechanic" and begins his series of industrial "work portraits"

1930

Begins documenting the construction of the Empire State Building

1931

Makes "Icarus" and other images high on the steel of the Empire State Building

1932

Publishes "Men at Work," the only book of his photographs issued in his lifetime

1936

Serves as chief photographer for the Works Progress Administration's National Research Project

1938

The Fair Labor Standards Act sets federal limits on child labor

1940

Dies on November 3 at Dobbs Ferry, New York, in obscurity and near poverty

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