Abstract: This paper reviews the developments of the Timoshenko beam theory with consideration of the shear deformation, the calculations of the shear correction factors, the linear and geometrically nonlinear finite elements of the Timoshenko beam, the material nonlinerity analysis, the vibrating theories, the stability theories, the coupling theories of the shear lag and the shear deformation and the coupling theories of the distorsion and the shear deformation in a box beam, the shear deformation effect on the composite box girder with corrugated steel webs, the elastic foundation beam, and the applications in civil engineering.