John Evelyn published 4 non-fiction books and 1 other book, beginning with Sculptura (1662). The best-known is Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber (1664).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with John Evelyn
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Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber
John Evelyn's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Sculptura (1662)
Acetaria (1699)
Diary (1906)
Other books in order
Kalendarium Hortense (1669)
Free to read
All free classics
About John Evelyn
John Evelyn, an English writer, landowner, gardener, courtier and minor government official, has become best known as a diarist. He was a founding Fellow of the Royal Society.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
John Evelyn FAQ
- How many books has John Evelyn written?
- John Evelyn published 4 non-fiction books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read John Evelyn's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber.
- What is John Evelyn's last book?
- Acetaria (1699).
- What is John Evelyn's most famous book?
- Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber (1664) is John Evelyn's most widely read book.
- Can I read John Evelyn's books for free?
- Yes. 6 books by John Evelyn are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like John Evelyn
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.