The first edition was published in 1771 with supplements following in 1783 and 1784.  
The first edition was published in 1771 with supplements following in 1783 and 1784.  Pierre Mechain may have collaborated on the project, and the last half dozen entries were added only in the twentieth century.  The nature of entry 102 is still the subject of controversy.  Number 97 is the Owl; number 8, the Lagoon; number 57, the Ring; and number 20, the Triffid.  FTP identify this catalog of nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters whose most famous members include the Andromeda Galaxy (number 31), the Orion Nebula (number 42), and the Crab Nebula (number 1).
The first edition was published in 1771 with supplements following in 1783 and 1784.  
Messier Catalog