Final answer:
The first person to catalog and describe various species was Carolus Linnaeus using the binomial naming system.
Step-by-step explanation:
All modern classification systems have their roots in the Linnaean classification system. It was developed by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in the 1700s. Linnaeus used a two-name system to name organisms, known as the binomial naming system. This system assigns each organism a unique genus name and species name, such as Cyanocitta cristata for the North American blue jay. Linnaeus is considered the "father of taxonomy" and his system is still used today.