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Dewey (MELVIL an American librarian)

MELVIL, an American librarian, born at Adams Center, N. Y., in 1851. He graduated from Amherst College in 1874. After serving as librarian at Amherst College, he became chief librarian and professor of library economy at Columbia University. From 1906 he was director of the New York State Library, and from 1891 to 1906 he was director of the Home Education Department. He was secretary and executive officer of the University of the State of New York from 1889 to 1900, and from 1904 to 1906 was State director of libraries in New York. He was one of the chief advocates of spelling reform, and was editor of the "A. L. A. Catalog" (1904); and "The Library"; and of various journals and reports. He was a member and officer of many educational societies.