Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. published 11 novels, 3 non-fiction books, 4 poetry collections and 1 other book, beginning with The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes (1846).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Standalone novels in order
The Guardian Angel (1867)
John Lothrop Motley (1878)
Elsie Venner (1883)
A Mortal Antipathy (1884)
Our Hundred Days in Europe (1887)
Mark Twain's Library of Humour (1888)
Over the Teacups (1890)
The Poet Among the Hills (1895)
Non-fiction in order
Border Lines of Knowledge in Some Provinces of Medical Science (1862)
Teaching from the Chair and at the Bedside (1867)
Medical Essays, 1842-1882 (1887)
Poetry in order
Poems (1846)
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1884)
Other books in order
Writings (1900)
Free to read
All free classicsComplete Project Gutenberg Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Works
The Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes
The Wonderful "One-Hoss-Shay", and Other Poems
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Complete
Quotes and Images From the Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
John Lothrop Motley, A Memoir — Complete
Stories of Romance
The One Hoss Shay
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 06
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 02
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 01
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 05
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 04
The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 07
About Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was an American physician, poet, and polymath based in Boston. Grouped among the fireside poets, he was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer. In addition to being an author and a poet, Holmes was also a physician, professor, lecturer, and inventor.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. FAQ
- How many books has Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. written?
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. published 11 novels, 3 non-fiction books, 4 poetry collections and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
- What is Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s last book?
- The Poet Among the Hills (1895).
- What is Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s most famous book?
- The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes (1846) is Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s most widely read book.
- Can I read Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s books for free?
- Yes. 36 books by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.