Melvil

Melvil Louis Kossuth Dewey (December 10, 1851 – December 26, 1931) was an American librarian and educator who devised the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), a system for organizing library materials by subject. First published in 1876, the DDC became the framework for cataloging in many libraries worldwide and remains in use with ongoing revisions.

Born in Adams, New York, Dewey helped professionalize librarianship in the United States. In 1876 he co-founded the American Library Association and served as its first secretary, advocating standardized library practices and professional training. He also established the first dedicated library school in the United States, the School of Library Economy at Columbia University, advancing formal instruction for librarians.

Dewey founded the Library Bureau, a company supplying library equipment, catalog cards, and related products, which helped disseminate standardized library practices. His work in cataloging, classification, and library education shaped modern librarianship and information organization.

The Dewey Decimal Classification continues to be widely used, with ongoing revisions to reflect changes in knowledge and access technologies. Dewey's contributions are recognized as foundational to library science and information management.