Robert Burns published 1 novel and 4 poetry collections, beginning with Poems (1786).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Robert Burns
Start here
Poems
Robert Burns's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Unselfish Gene (2008)
Poetry in order
Poems (1786)
Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect (1786)
The Poems & Songs, with a Life of the Author (1819)
The Merry Muses of Caledonia (1964)
Free to read
All free classics
About Robert Burns
Robert Burns, also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is in a "light Scots dialect" of English, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these writings his political or civil commentary is often at its bluntest.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Robert Burns FAQ
- How many books has Robert Burns written?
- Robert Burns published 1 novel and 4 poetry collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Robert Burns's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Poems.
- What is Robert Burns's last book?
- Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect (1786).
- What is Robert Burns's most famous book?
- Poems (1786) is Robert Burns's most widely read book.
- Can I read Robert Burns's books for free?
- Yes. 5 books by Robert Burns are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Robert Burns
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.