# History of the classification of mathematical subjects

I would like to know if there are sources on the history of the classification of mathematical subjects. Gérard Lang

• I like this question, but I think it could benefit from more context. E.g. are there particular instances of classification, or changes of classification over time, which you're interested in? Feb 14 '18 at 15:21
• Two early examples I know of in which the whole of mathematics was essentially classified are: (1) Jahrbuch über die Fortschritte der Mathematik (late 1860s); (2) Royal Society of London Catalogue of Scientific Papers 1800-1900. Volume I, Pure Mathematics (1908) (Bull. AMS review by G. A. Miller). Feb 14 '18 at 15:26
• Thank you. These are two very interesting sources, that are completing the article of Craig Fraser. The review of the second source in the AMS is not too optimistic about the quality of the catalogue of the Royal Society. Feb 14 '18 at 21:35
• Trying to answer to Noah Schweber, I would have been specially interested to have a study on this question on the long term, beginning in the Antiquity and going on until now, specially concerning the possible changes of status regarding Logic and Geometry. Feb 14 '18 at 21:44
• "The review of the second source in the AMS is not too optimistic about the quality of the catalogue $\ldots$" That review was by G. A. Miller who was/is well known for highly critical reviews and short papers criticizing various (often minor, but not always) issues about someone's paper(s) and/or book(s). I've read quite a few such reviews and critical commentaries by him (probably over 50) in the past 20 some years, and for what it's worth, this particular review is extremely high praise for him. Feb 14 '18 at 21:49