Adam Smith books in order
Scottish moral philosopher and political economist
- Lived
- 1723–1790
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Books
- 3
Adam Smith published 1 novel, 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book, beginning with The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759). The best-known is An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Adam Smith
Start here
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Non-fiction in order
Other books in order
The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Or. An Essay Towards an Analysis of the (1793)
Free to read
All free classics
About Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish Enlightenment. Seen by many as the "father of economics", or the "father of capitalism", he is primarily known for two classic works: The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776). The latter, often abbreviated as The Wealth of Nations, is regarded as his magnum opus, marking the inception of modern economic scholarship as a comprehensive system and an academic discipline. Smith refuses to explain the distribution of wealth and power in terms of divine will and instead appeals to natural, political, social, economic, legal, environmental and technological factors, as well as the interactions among them. The work is notable for its contribution to economic theory, particularly in its exposition of the concept of absolute advantage.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Adam Smith FAQ
- How many books has Adam Smith written?
- Adam Smith published 1 novel, 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Adam Smith's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- What is Adam Smith's last book?
- An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776).
- What is Adam Smith's most famous book?
- An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776) is Adam Smith's most widely read book.
- Can I read Adam Smith's books for free?
- Yes. 3 books by Adam Smith are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Adam Smith
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.