Being one of the most important and widely used load-bearing component, steel wire ropes are extensively used in complex systems and environments such as mine hoists, cranes, ropeways, elevators, oil rigs, and cable-stayed bridges The aim of this thesis is to develop a comprehensive literature review of fatigue and fracture of steel wire ropes. Although primarily concerned with the fatigue - fracture behaviour of steel wire ropes, a broad review of literature, right from the microstructure and metallurgy to the ultimate fracture is reported. The production process beginning in furnace to the final product is analysed and the development of microstructure is evaluated right through the process.