John Milton books in order
English poet and civil servant
- Lived
- 1608–1674
- Country
- England
- Books
- 14
John Milton published 2 novels, 3 novellas, 7 non-fiction books and 2 poetry collections, beginning with Comus (1637).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with John Milton
Start here
Comus
John Milton's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Sonnets (1645)
Eikonoklastes (Oct 1649)
Novellas in order
Comus (1637)
Areopagitica (1644)
Paradise Regain'd (1671)
Non-fiction in order
Of Reformation Touching Church-discipline in England (1641)
The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (1643)
Tractate on Education (1644)
The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates (1649)
The History of Britain, That Part Especially Now Called England (1671)
De Doctrina Christiana (1825)
Poetry in order
Samson Agonistes (1671)
Asimov's Annotated Paradise Lost (1821)
Free to read
All free classics
About John Milton
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant. His 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost was written in blank verse and included 12 books, written in a time of immense religious flux and political upheaval. It addressed the fall of man, including the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan, and God's expulsion of them from the Garden of Eden. Paradise Lost elevated Milton's reputation as one of history's greatest poets. He also served as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
John Milton FAQ
- How many books has John Milton written?
- John Milton published 2 novels, 3 novellas, 7 non-fiction books and 2 poetry collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read John Milton's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Comus.
- What is John Milton's last book?
- The History of Britain, That Part Especially Now Called England (1671).
- What is John Milton's most famous book?
- Comus (1637) is John Milton's most widely read book.
- Can I read John Milton's books for free?
- Yes. 11 books by John Milton are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like John Milton
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.