This study has been done to review the historical development of the cataloging system of books with emphasis on those in England and the U. S. The findings can be summarized as follows: (1) In 1844, Sir Panizzi invented what seems to be the first of its kind in history to list the inventory systematically at the British Museum. It is believed to be a complete system consisting of 91 articles. (2) A comparatively systematic system was developed in America by Jewett. in 1852. Composed of only 39 articles, the system is considered a renovative one worked out with due regard to the infrastructure of a library. (3) In 1876, a classic system based on a lexicographical order was set up by Cutter. Rated as the best one that was designed by an individual, the theory has since exercised widespreading effects on cataloging. (4) American and British library scientists collaborated in printing several editions of numerous volumes on the principles of classification, but they are not believed fully successful in establishing a consistent and compressive system. Their efforts found significance rather in their being the first international collaboration and setting a foundation upon which the international system of today has been developed. (5) The ALA Rule, published concurrently in ALA and LC in 1949, had two parts in its classification, the list of authors and that of titles. Its scientific classification has completed the cataloging of books in its developmental stage. (6) The 1967 American-British Rules integrated the cataloging systems published under separate covers by authors and titles. The system as well as the 1961 Paris System has greatly contributed to the standardization of bibliographical description throughout the English-speaking countries. The International Standard Book Description standardized Bibliographic system has enabled the librarians in different countries to exchange their bibliographical sources easily, helped to overcome the language barrier in listing and contributed to the efficient reading of bibliographical records through machines. (7) The second edition of the Angelo-American cataloging Rules, promulgated in 1978 under the influence of the international standard bibliographical description, was the one in which all the previous Rules were revised to have their strong points. The adoption of punctuation system to employ the computerized data processing and the standardization of description are expected to improve the cataloging system not only in the English speaking countries but in the Universal Bibliographic Control as well.