Authors Directory

Authors / R

Portrait of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau books in order

Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer

Lived
1712–1778
Country
Republic of Geneva
Books
25

Jean-Jacques Rousseau published 17 novels, 6 non-fiction books and 2 plays, beginning with Discourse on the Arts and Sciences (1750). The best-known is The Social Contract (1762).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Standalone novels in order

  1. Encyclopédie (1751), with Denis Diderot and Baron d'Holbach

    Buy

  2. Letter to M. D'Alembert on Spectacles (1758)

    Buy

  3. Julie, or the New Heloise (1761)

    728 pages

    Buy

  4. La Nouvelle Héloïse (1761)

    561 pages

    Buy

  5. Emile, or On Education (1762)

    456 pages

    Read free

  6. Profession of Faith of a Savoyard Vicar (1762)

    Buy

  7. The Social Contract (1762)

    249 pages★ 4.2 (5 ratings)

    Buy

  8. Constitutional Project for Corsica (1768)

    Buy

  9. Dialogues: Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques (1780)

    Buy

  10. Essay on the Origin of Languages (1781)

    Buy

  11. Confessions (1782)

    Buy

  12. Considerations on the Government of Poland (1782)

    Buy

  13. Reveries of a Solitary Walker (1782)

    Buy

  14. The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau (1782)

    606 pages★ 4.4 (5 ratings)

    Buy

  15. The Confessions of J.J. Rousseau: With The Reveries of the Solitary Walker (1783)

    259 pages

    Buy

  16. Cabinet Des Fées (1785), with Charles Perrault and Madame d'Aulnoy

    Buy

  17. Le Devin Du Village (1800)

    Buy

Non-fiction in order

  1. Discourse on the Arts and Sciences (1750)

    249 pages

    Buy

  2. Discourse on Inequality (1755)

    134 pages

    Buy

  3. Discourse on Political Economy (1758)

    76 pages

    Buy

  4. A Discourse Upon the Origin and Foundation of the Inequality Among Mankind (1761)

    260 pages

    Buy

  5. Eloisa (1761)

    436 pages

    Read free

  6. A Complete Dictionary of Music (1767)

    537 pages

    Buy

Plays in order

  1. Narcisse Ou L'Amant De Lui-même (1752)

    Buy

  2. Pygmalion (1771)

    Buy

Free to read

All free classics

About Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, philosophe, writer, and composer. His political philosophy influenced the progress of the Age of Enlightenment throughout Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the development of modern political, economic, and educational thought.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau FAQ

How many books has Jean-Jacques Rousseau written?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau published 17 novels, 6 non-fiction books and 2 plays that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Jean-Jacques Rousseau's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Social Contract.
What is Jean-Jacques Rousseau's last book?
Dialogues: Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques (1780).
What is Jean-Jacques Rousseau's most famous book?
The Social Contract (1762) is Jean-Jacques Rousseau's most widely read book.
Can I read Jean-Jacques Rousseau's books for free?
Yes. 19 books by Jean-Jacques Rousseau are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.

Authors like Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.