BACKGROUND:  The cataloger classes biographical works under the topic with which the biographee, the person about whom a biography is written, is most closely identified.  For example, works written about Henry Ford are usually classed in HD9710, which represents the history of the automobile industry.  However, when an individual who has contributed to several different fields is the subject of a biography, the work is assigned a classification number determined by the topic covered in that particular work.  For example, a book about Thomas Jefferson as an architect is classed in NA737, which represents the history of American architecture, whereas Jefferson as a musician is classed in ML429.  If a biography treats multiple aspects of an individual's life, the cataloger classes the work with the topic with which the biographee is most commonly associated.  Thus, works that present several aspects of Jefferson's career are classed in E (American history).

For the purposes of this instruction, it is important to recognize the different kinds of class numbers where a biography may be classed.  A Biography Table may be applied only to an individual biography class number where the name of the biographee is on the first Cutter.

Collective biography.  No special rules are required to create Cutter numbers for works classed in a collective biography number.

General class numbers.  Any class number other than a biography class number.  The note "Includes biographies" under a general topic does not make the number a biography number.

Biography class numbers.  Any class number established specifically for biographical works.  A collection of an individual's letters or compilation of a person's speeches may be classed in a biography class number.  Sometimes separate class numbers are provided for these topics, as well as for autobiography or dictionaries and indexes.

Individual biography, A-Z.  This caption indicates that these numbers are biography numbers, and therefore that the Biography Table is used if the biographee is on the first Cutter.  Collected works, selected works, autobiographical works, letters, and speeches of the biographee may be classed here.

For a work to be covered by the guidelines in this instruction, the name of the biographee must be given as the first subject heading.

This instruction provides guidelines on shelflisting procedures for biographies.  For instructions on the assignment of subject headings, see H 1330, Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings.  For classification instructions, see F 275 , Subject Cataloging Manual: Classification.

1.  Determine whether the class number represents a general number or a biography number

This decision is important because the Biography Table is used only under a biography number in which the biographee is on the first Cutter.  Some class numbers in the schedules contain information that makes them appear to be biography numbers, but they are not to be treated as such.

a.  General numbers.  The following characteristics denote general numbers.

(1)  The caption indicates a general topic.  Biographies may be classed here.



Arabia  [works about T.E. Lawrence as Lawrence of Arabia are classed here]

(2)  A note indicates that biographies are also classed in that number.  The class number, however, is a general works number.



By period




Including admission as a state: March 4, 1791.


Biography: Jacob Collamer, etc.




Great Britain


General works. History.


Including biography

(3)  Personal narratives may seem to suggest biographies.  However, these numbers are considered to be general numbers.



Narratives by noncombatants


Including collective and individual

(4)  "Life and reign" appears as a caption in the history schedules.  However, these numbers have special rules:  Cutter all works by the main entry, including works by the ruler.



General works on life and reign of William IV, 1830-1837.

b.  Biography classes.  The following characteristics denote biography numbers:

(1)  The caption is Individual biography, A-Z.







Individual, A-Z

(2)  The caption for personal narratives appears as part of a caption for biography.



Biography. Personal narratives of slaves.

2.  Shelflisting biographies in biography classes

a.  Individual biographee on the first Cutter.  Subarrange materials according to the Biography Table unless the schedule provides otherwise.


b.  Translations.  The Translation Table can be applied to the .xA6-Z of the Biography Table.  Do not use the Translation Table with the .xA2-.xA5 area of the Biography Table.

c.  Extended example of application of the Biography Table

In the classification schedule:


Individual A-Z


.x = Cutter for biographee.

E185.97.K5 = King, Martin Luther.



.xA2 = Collected works. By date

E185.97.K5 A2 1967

King, Martin Luther. Works. 1967.



.xA25 = Selected works. By date

E185.97.K5 A25 1970

King, Martin Luther. Words & wisdom of Martin ... 1970



.xA3 = Autobiography. By date


[no example available for King]

Note:  Previously, the Biography Table specified that autobiographies be Cuttered .xA3-39.  The added digit represented the title of the autobiographical work.  This practice, illustrated below, has been discontinued.

E185.97.K5 A34 1957

King, Martin Luther. Freedom's course ... 1957.


[first subject heading: King, Martin Luther.]



.xA4 = Letters. By date

E185.97.K5 A4 1966

King, Martin Luther. Correspondence. 1966.


[made-up example]



.xA5 = Speeches. By date

E185.97.K5 A5 2001

King, Martin Luther...


Call to conscience : the landmark speeches. 2001



.xA6-Z = Biography and criticism.

E185.97.K5 A63 1969

Abernathy, Ralph.


What manner of man? 1969.


(First subject: King, Martin Luther)


[Note that the Cutter for Abernathy has been adjusted to fit the .A6-Z span provided by the table.]

d.  Individual biographee on the second Cutter.  When a biography class is established in the schedule so that the Cutter number representing the biographee is the second Cutter (i.e. the first Cutter is reserved for a topic, country, etc.), do not use the Biography Table.  Create a Cutter for the biographee and add a digit or digits to represent the main entry.  Arrange autobiographies etc. and works about the biographee by main entry.  Do not provide any subarrangement such as that provided by the Biography Table.


In the classification schedule:


England. Great Britain


Biography and memoirs


Individual, A-Z



In the shelflist:

DS135.E6 C643 1982

Benjamin, Arnold P.


David Cohen : his life & time ... 1982. (Biography/Criticism)



DS135.E6 C644 1977

Cohen, David.


My life ... 1977. (Autobiography)



DS135.E6 C6445 1980

Cohen, David.


What a life ... 1980. (Autobiography)



DS135.E6 C646 1983

McDonald, Michael.


The David Cohen Story ... 1983. (Biography)

Note:  Previously, autobiographies were filed before all works written about the biographee.  This practice has been discontinued.

3.  Shelflisting biographies in general classes

a.  General rule.  Apply the preferred shelflist order (see G 65).  File all works about a person after all works by that person.  If any works by the biographee have already been shelflisted and a biography is classed in the same class, create a Cutter so that the biography files after the works of the biographee.

b.  Biography on the first Cutter.  Establish a first Cutter for the biographee and a second Cutter for the main entry of the biography.


In the classification schedule:




By period




Biography: Jacob Collamer, etc.



In the shelflist:


Twilight, Alexander Lucius, 1795-1857.


Vermont's politics in the 19th century.  [made-up example]



F53.T95 H34 1998

Hahn, Michael T., 1953-


Alexander Twilight; Vermont's ... 1998.

c.  Biography on the second Cutter.  If no works by the biographee exist in that class, establish a Cutter for the biographee and add a digit or digits to represent the main entry.  If any works by the biographee have already been shelflisted and a biography is classed in the same class, create a successive Cutter so that the biography files after the works of the biographee and add a digit or digits to represent the main entry.


In the classification schedule:


World War (1939-1945)


Other special topics, A-Z





In the shelflist:

D810.C2 M35

Maskelyne, Jasper.


Magic--top secret ... [1949].


1. Camouflage (Military science)



D810.C2 M363 1983

Fisher, David, 1946-


The war magician / David Fisher ... c1983. (Biography of Maskelyne)



D810.C2 M365 1988

Landers, Andrew.


Jasper Maskelyne / Andrew Landers ... 1988. (Biography of Maskelyne)

4.  Other tables for biographical works

If an individual class specifies a table other than the Biography Table, apply that table.



Individual educators, A-Z


Subarrange each by Table L14




Individual, A-Z


Adams, Charles Francis, 1835-1915 (Table E2A)

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