Lewis Hine

Photographer of the early 20th century, whose work documented the grim and brutal working conditions of American factories and mines and especially exposed the abuse and exploitation of children by their employers. His work, published in several books, helped to bring to light these injustices and influenced the legislation of child labor laws. During 1930 and 1931, Hines was the official photographer of the construction of the Empire State Building. His photographs were published in 1932 in a book titled "Men At Work." The aging Hine found it more difficult to find work in Depression-era America after this, however, and as the decade wore on, he found himself in extreme poverty. His wife died on Christmas Day of 1939 and one month later, Hines' house was repossessed. He died penniless of unknown causes on November 3, 1940, some say of a broken heart. His body was cremated the next day.