Thomas Gray published 3 poetry collections, beginning with Poems by Mr. Gray (1768). The best-known is Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1772).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Thomas Gray
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Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
Thomas Gray's most-read book.
Poetry in order
Poems by Mr. Gray (1768)
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1772)
Poems (1790)
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About Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray was an English poet, letter-writer, and classical scholar at Cambridge University, being a fellow first of Peterhouse then of Pembroke College. He is widely known for his Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, published in 1751. Gray was a self-critical writer who published only 13 poems in his lifetime, despite being very popular. He was even offered the position of Poet Laureate in 1757 after the death of Colley Cibber, though he declined.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Thomas Gray FAQ
- How many books has Thomas Gray written?
- Thomas Gray published 3 poetry collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Thomas Gray's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.
- What is Thomas Gray's last book?
- Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1772).
- What is Thomas Gray's most famous book?
- Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1772) is Thomas Gray's most widely read book.
- Can I read Thomas Gray's books for free?
- Yes. 3 books by Thomas Gray are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Thomas Gray
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.