Johann Gottfried Herder books in order
German philosopher, theologian, poet
- Lived
- 1744–1803
- Country
- Germany
- Books
- 2
Johann Gottfried Herder published 1 non-fiction book and 1 poetry collection, beginning with Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind (1784).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Johann Gottfried Herder
Start here
Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind
Johann Gottfried Herder's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind (1784)
Poetry in order
Stimmen Der Völker in Liedern (1807)
About Johann Gottfried Herder
Johann Gottfried von Herder was a German philosopher, theologian, pastor, poet, and literary critic. Herder is associated with the Age of Enlightenment, Sturm und Drang, and Weimar Classicism. He was a Romantic philosopher and poet who argued that true German culture was to be discovered among the common people. He also stated that it was through folk songs, folk poetry, and folk dances that the true spirit of the nation was popularized. He is credited with establishing or advancing a number of important disciplines: hermeneutics, linguistics, anthropology, and "a secular philosophy of history."
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Johann Gottfried Herder FAQ
- How many books has Johann Gottfried Herder written?
- Johann Gottfried Herder published 1 non-fiction book and 1 poetry collection that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Johann Gottfried Herder's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind.
- What is Johann Gottfried Herder's last book?
- Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind (1784).
- What is Johann Gottfried Herder's most famous book?
- Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind (1784) is Johann Gottfried Herder's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.