Catalogue of the books, manuscripts, maps and drawings in the British museum, natural history

Commissioned to serve as the definitive bibliographic record of the British Museum (Natural History), this multi-volume catalogue was compiled by the institution's library staff during the early 20th century. Its creation was driven by the necessity to organize the rapidly expanding scientific literature and taxonomic documentation held by the museum, which had gained administrative independence from the main British Museum at Bloomsbury in 1881.

The design and systematic arrangement reflect the rigorous academic standards of the era's curators and naturalists. By cataloging the library’s extensive holdings of manuscripts, maps, and illustrations alongside printed volumes, the work provided a vital reference tool for taxonomists and historians of science worldwide. The catalogue received professional acclaim upon its release for its precision and comprehensive indexing of both foundational natural history texts and ephemeral scientific papers.