Melvil Deweyborn Dec. 10, 1851, Adams Center, NY., U.S.died Dec. 26, 1931, Lake Placid, NY.

American librarian who devised the Dewey Decimal Classification for library cataloging and, probably more than any other individual, was responsible for the development of library science in the United States.

Dewey graduated in 1874 from Amherst College and became acting librarian at that institution. In 1876 he published A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library, in which he outlined what became known as the Dewey Decimal Classification. This system was gradually adopted by libraries throughout the English-speaking world. In 1877 Dewey moved to Boston, where, with R.R. Bowker and Frederick Leypoldt, he founded and edited the Library Journal. He was also one of the founders of the American LibraryAssociation. In 1883 he became librarian of Columbia College, New York City, and there set up the School of Library Economy, the first institution for training librarians in the United States. The school was moved to Albany, N.Y., as the State Library School under his direction.

From 1889 to 1906 he was director of the New York State Library. He also served as secretary of the State University of New York (1889–1900) and as state director of libraries (1904–06). He completely reorganized the New York state library, making it one of the most efficient in the United States, and established the system of traveling libraries and picture collections.

"Melvil Dewey." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.

• 000-099 Generalities • 100-199 Philosophy and Psychology • 200-299 Religion • 300-399 Social Science • 400-499 Language • 500-599 Natural Science and Mathematics

• 600-699 Technology (Applied Sciences) • 700-799 Arts • 800-899 Literature • 900-999 Geography and History

Dewey Decimal System of Classification

Class Numbers

Category Description

000-099 General Works Encyclopedias, Periodicals, Newspapers, Atlases, Almanacs, etc

100-199 Philosophy Psychology, Logic, Ethics, etc

200-299 Religion Bible, Theology, Church, etc

300-399 Social Sciences Sociology, Economics, Law, Education, etc

400-499 Language Dictionaries, Grammars, Readers, etc, in all languages

500-599 Pure Science Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, etc.

600-699 Technology Engineering, Health, Medicine, Inventions, Television, Business, etc

700-799 The Arts Sculpture, Drawing, Painting, Music, Sports, Hobbies, etc

800-899 Literature Poems, Plays, Essays, in all languages

900-999 History Geography, Travel, Histories of all Countries and Ages

General ClassificationIndicate below the general classification numbers for each subject:

1. Fine Arts ____________________

2. Science____________________

3. General Works____________________

4. History____________________

5. Religion____________________

6. Language____________________

7. Useful Arts____________________

8. Psychology ____________________

9. Government ____________________

10. Literature ____________________

11. Sociology ____________________

12. Philosophy____________________

13. Mythology____________________

14. Economics____________________

15. Mathematics____________________