Factory Boys, Somersworth, N.H. (1909)

Posted by jdg | 10:30 AM


According to the photographer, Lewis Hine: "Group of boys working in Great Falls Mfg. Co., Somersworth, N.H. 6 p.m. May 18, 1909. Smallest boy is Alfred Ouellet, 212 Main Street. Fat boy is Willie Laudry, 35 South Street. Boy on left hand end is Napoleon St. Lawrence, 23 Union Street." 

I think by "fat boy" Hine means the kid on the far left, who would hardly be fat by today's standards. It is a reminder of just how skinny most of these street kids and child laborers were. 

Nearly all of these urchins were discovered in the photography archives of the Library of Congress (and available without copyright restrictions online). Otherwise, urchin photos will be credited to the appropriate photographer with a link to its source (unless they come from my own collection of photographs from unknown photographers). If there is ever a copyright concern, do not hesitate to contact me.