Phyllis Richmond

Phyllis Allen Richmond (1921 – 6 October 1997) was a historian of science and librarian recognized for her work in classification and cataloging. Her dissertation "Americans and the Germ Theory of Disease" was a leading theory of history of medicine for nearly 40 years and she later published seminal work in classification theory.

Education and career She studied at Western Reserve University where she received a bachelor's degree in history in 1942. her dissertation "Americans and the Germ Theory of Disease" was a leading theory of history of medicine for nearly 40 years. She then worked at the Institute of the History of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

She formed a U.S. Classification Study Research Group, modeled after the British Classification Research Group to which she belonged.

Personal life Richmond was born in Boston and grew up in Rochester, NY. - she was the first female recipient.

Selected publications Phyllis Allen Richmond, ‘‘Reading list in classification theory,’’ Library resources & technical services. 16(1972):364-82. Phyllis Allen Richmond, ‘‘Cats: An Example of Concealed Classification in Subject Headings,’’ Library Resources & Technical Resources, 3 (Spring 1959), 102-112. Phyllis A. Richmond, ‘‘Hierarchical Definition,’' American Documentation 11 (1960), 91–96.