Melvil Dewey

Date of Birth: December 10, 1851

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: December 26, 1931

Biography

Melvil Dewey, born Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey, was an influential American librarian and educator, widely known for inventing the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system. Born on December 10, 1851, in Adams Center, New York, Dewey exhibited a keen interest in organization and efficiency from a young age. He attended Amherst College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1874 and a master’s degree in 1877. Dewey’s passion for library science led him to develop the Dewey Decimal Classification system in 1876, a revolutionary method for organizing library collections that made it easier for users to locate books. Beyond his work with the DDC, Dewey was a prolific advocate for library reform and played a key role in the establishment of the American Library Association (ALA). He also founded the first library school, the School of Library Economy at Columbia University, in 1887. Dewey’s influence extended beyond the realm of libraries. He was an advocate for the metric system, spelling reform, and various efficiency movements. Despite his many contributions, Dewey’s legacy is also marked by controversy, including allegations of inappropriate behavior and discriminatory practices. Melvil Dewey passed away on December 26, 1931, in Lake Placid, New York, leaving behind a complex legacy marked by both groundbreaking achievements and contentious actions.

5 Interesting Facts about Melvil Dewey

1. Melvil Dewey is best known for inventing the Dewey Decimal Classification system, which is still used in libraries around the world today.

2. He was a co-founder of the American Library Association (ALA) and served as its president from 1890 to 1891.

3. Dewey was a strong proponent of spelling reform and even changed the spelling of his own name from Melville to Melvil.

4. He was an early advocate for the metric system in the United States and promoted its adoption.

5. Dewey founded the Lake Placid Club, a social and cultural organization, and was instrumental in promoting winter sports in the area.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Melvil Dewey

1. “The librarian must be the librarian militant before he can be the librarian triumphant.”

2. “Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.”

3. “A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.”

4. “We must have a better understanding of the importance of libraries and the role of the librarian.”

5. “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Melvil Dewey’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as his primary contributions were in the fields of education and library science rather than business. However, his impact on the library system and information organization is invaluable.

Children

Melvil Dewey had one child, Godfrey Dewey, who was born in 1887. Godfrey followed in his father’s footsteps in terms of carrying on the family’s legacy of intellectual and organizational pursuits.