Ray Lankester published 4 non-fiction books and 3 other books, beginning with On Comparative Longevity in Man and the Lower Animals (1870). The best-known is Degeneration (1880).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Ray Lankester
Non-fiction in order
Science from an Easy Chair (1912)
Diversions of a Naturalist (1915)
Secrets of Earth and Sea (1920)
Great and Small Things (1923)
Other books in order
On Comparative Longevity in Man and the Lower Animals (1870)
Degeneration (1880)
Extinct Animals (1905)
Free to read
All free classics
About Ray Lankester
Sir Edwin Ray Lankester was a British zoologist.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Ray Lankester FAQ
- How many books has Ray Lankester written?
- Ray Lankester published 4 non-fiction books and 3 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Ray Lankester's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Degeneration.
- What is Ray Lankester's last book?
- Great and Small Things (1923).
- What is Ray Lankester's most famous book?
- Degeneration (1880) is Ray Lankester's most widely read book.
- Can I read Ray Lankester's books for free?
- Yes. 7 books by Ray Lankester are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Ray Lankester
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.