The classification system introduced in 1876 used a decimal structure to organize human knowledge by assigning numerical values to subjects. This method remains in use across libraries globally today. Its creator, Melvil Dewey, fundamentally altered how information is managed and accessed, acting as an architect for modern librarianship through the professionalization of the field in the United States.
Professional Beginnings and Classification
Born in 1851 in Adams Center, New York, Dewey attended Alfred University and Amherst College. Upon graduating, he managed the library at Amherst, where he developed his decimal system. This method, copyrighted in 1876, relied on a hierarchy of knowledge similar to models previously described by Francis Bacon. His ambition extended to administrative reform, leading him to advocate for simplified spelling and the removal of redundant letters in his own name.
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Dewey played a vital role in establishing the American Library Association in 1876, serving as its secretary and later as president for two terms. He founded The Library Journal and the Library Bureau, an organization dedicated to standardizing library supplies. In 1883, he became the chief librarian at Columbia College, where he launched the School of Library Economy in 1887. Despite opposition from college officials regarding the inclusion of women, he insisted on their enrollment. When the school faced closure, he successfully moved the program to the New York State Library, where he served as director from 1888 to 1906.
Public Service and Personal Legacy
Beyond his work with library systems, Dewey served as the secretary and executive officer of the University of the State of New York. He organized state-wide traveling libraries and image collections to improve access to information. In 1895, he and his wife Annie Godfrey founded the Lake Placid Club. His son Godfrey participated in organizing the Winter Olympics, and Dewey chaired the New York State Winter Olympics Committee. Following his death in 1931 at Lake Placid, Florida, he was interred at North Elba Cemetery. He was posthumously inducted into the Library Hall of Fame in 1951.
Fast facts
- Born: 1851, Adams Center
- Died: 1931, Lake Placid
- Nationality: United States
- Notable Work: Dewey Decimal Classification
- Education: Amherst College, Alfred University
- ALA Roles: Secretary, President
- Burial Site: North Elba Cemetery
- Awards: Library Hall of Fame (1951)
Questions readers ask
What is the Dewey Decimal Classification?
It is a library organization system that assigns specific decimal numbers to books based on their subject matter, allowing for a standardized structure of knowledge.
Where is Melvil Dewey buried?
He is buried at North Elba Cemetery.
Achievements
- Notable work: Dewey Decimal Classification
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