International Catalogue of Scientific Literature

The International Catalogue of Scientific Literature was an annual index covering scientific literature from all major areas of science. The Catalogue was produced by an international committee and was published by the Royal Society of London. It was published from 1902–1921, and indexed scientific literature published from 1901 - 1914.

The idea for an international bibliography of science started with Joseph Henry. The first International Bibliographical Conference was held in London, July 14–17, 1896.

According to Isadora Mudge in the Guide to Reference Books: "While issued this was the most important current bibliography covering all the sciences. Includes both books and periodical articles. Publication suspended after issues of the volumes for 1914". A reprint of the Catalogue was published in 1968 by the Johnson Reprint Corporation (New York).

As the Royal Society was unable to continue financially supporting the Catalogue, financial assistance was sought from the scientific offices of contributing countries. Despite these efforts, the Catalogue ceased publication in large part due to a devaluation of currency caused by World War I

As Mudge notes, the Catalogue "[i]ndexes a large number of important scientific journals, but was never very satisfactory for up-to-date reference work because of the delay in publication.

Each year, seventeen volumes were issued: