John Vanbrugh published 3 plays and 10 other books, beginning with The Relapse, Or, Virtue in Danger (1696).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with John Vanbrugh
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The Relapse, Or, Virtue in Danger
John Vanbrugh's most-read book.
Plays in order
The Relapse, Or, Virtue in Danger (1696)
Plays (1730)
The Provoked Wife (1969)
Other books in order
Aesop (1697)
The Provok'd Wife (1697)
The False Friend (1702)
The City Wives Confederacy (1705)
The Mistake (1706)
Sir John Vanbrugh (1719)
Esop (1720)
The Provok'd Husband (1728)
The Cornish Squire (1734)
The Country House (1762)
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About John Vanbrugh
Sir John Vanbrugh was an English architect, dramatist and herald, perhaps best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. He wrote two argumentative and outspoken Restoration comedies, The Relapse (1696) and The Provoked Wife (1697), which have become enduring stage favourites but originally occasioned much controversy. He was knighted in 1714.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
John Vanbrugh FAQ
- How many books has John Vanbrugh written?
- John Vanbrugh published 3 plays and 10 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read John Vanbrugh's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Relapse, Or, Virtue in Danger.
- What is John Vanbrugh's last book?
- The Provok'd Husband (1728).
- What is John Vanbrugh's most famous book?
- The Relapse, Or, Virtue in Danger (1696) is John Vanbrugh's most widely read book.
- Can I read John Vanbrugh's books for free?
- Yes. 2 books by John Vanbrugh are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like John Vanbrugh
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.