Elizabeth Gaskell books in order
British author
- Lived
- 1810–1865
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Books
- 19
- Also writes as
- Cotton Mather Mills
Elizabeth Gaskell published 12 novels, 5 novellas and 2 short story collections, beginning with Mary Barton (1848). The best-known is North and South (1855).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Elizabeth Gaskell
Standalone novels in order
Mary Barton (1848)
Cranford (1851)
Ruth (1853)
North and South (1855)
The Life of Charlotte Brontë (1857)
My Lady Ludlow (1858)
Round the Sofa (1859)
Right at Last (1860)
A Dark Night's Work (1863)
Sylvia's Lovers (1863)
Wives and Daughters (1864)
A Dark Night's Work (1890)
Novellas in order
The Moorland Cottage (1850)
A House to Let (1858)
The Haunted House (1859)
Lizzie Leigh (1865)
Short story collections in order
Selected English Short Stories (Nineteenth Century) (1914)
Gothic Tales (2000)
Film and TV adaptations
- CranfordTV · from Cranford
- North and South (1985)TV · from North and South
- North & South (2004)TV · from North and South
- Wives and DaughtersTV · from Wives and Daughters
Free to read
All free classics
About Elizabeth Gaskell
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. Her novels offer detailed studies of Victorian society, including the lives of the very poor. Her first novel, Mary Barton, was published in 1848. Her only biography The Life of Charlotte Brontë, published in 1857, was controversial and significant in establishing the Brontë family's lasting fame. Among Gaskell's best known novels are Cranford (1851–1853), North and South (1854–1855), and Wives and Daughters (1864–1866), all of which have been adapted for television by the BBC.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Elizabeth Gaskell FAQ
- How many books has Elizabeth Gaskell written?
- Elizabeth Gaskell published 12 novels, 5 novellas and 2 short story collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Elizabeth Gaskell's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with North and South.
- What is Elizabeth Gaskell's last book?
- Lizzie Leigh (1865).
- What is Elizabeth Gaskell's most famous book?
- North and South (1855) is Elizabeth Gaskell's most widely read book.
- Does Elizabeth Gaskell write under a pen name?
- Yes: Elizabeth Gaskell has also published as Cotton Mather Mills.
- Which Elizabeth Gaskell books have been adapted?
- 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Cranford (TV), North and South (TV, 1985) and Wives and Daughters (TV).
- Can I read Elizabeth Gaskell's books for free?
- Yes. 26 books by Elizabeth Gaskell are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Elizabeth Gaskell
Honoré de Balzac
Also wrote literary fiction and short stories
Charles Dickens
Also wrote literary fiction and short stories
Émile Zola
Also wrote literary fiction and historical fiction
Théophile Gautier
Also wrote literary fiction and historical fiction
Victor Hugo
Also wrote literary fiction and historical fiction
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Also wrote literary fiction and short stories
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.