Its original name was General Catalogue of 33,342 Stars and it superseded the previous Preliminary General Catalogue of 6,188 Stars for the Epoch 1900 published in 1910 by Benjamin's father Lewis Boss.
Numele său original era General Catalogue of 33,342 Stars și a înlocuit precedentul Preliminary General Catalogue of 6,188 Stars for the Epoch 1900, care fusese publicat în 1910 de către Lewis Boss (tatăl lui Benjamin). en Boss General Catalogue (GC).