Thomas Jefferson published 2 novels, 6 non-fiction books and 2 other books, beginning with A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Thomas Jefferson
Start here
A Summary View of the Rights of British America
Thomas Jefferson's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States in America, in General Congress Assembled (Jul 1776)
"Memorandums Taken on a Journey from Paris into the Southern Parts of France and Northern Italy, in the Year 1787" (1787)
Non-fiction in order
A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774)
A Test of the Religious Principles, of Mr. Jefferson (1800)
President's Speech (1801)
Writings (1853)
The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (1976)
Other books in order
A Manual of Parliamentary Practice (1810)
A Manual of Parliamentary Practice: Composed Originally for the Use of the (1867)
Free to read
All free classicsThe Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
The Memoirs, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 7 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 6 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9)
Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 4
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 8 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 9)
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9)
United States Declaration of Independence
State of the Union Addresses
About Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father and the third president of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809. From 1797 to 1801, he served as the second vice president under John Adams. A prolific writer and philosopher, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. His political philosophy, defined by republicanism, individual liberty, agrarianism, and limited government, formed the basis for Jeffersonian democracy. While he remains celebrated as an icon of American political values, Jefferson is also controversial for having enslaved more than 600 people.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Thomas Jefferson FAQ
- How many books has Thomas Jefferson written?
- Thomas Jefferson published 2 novels, 6 non-fiction books and 2 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Thomas Jefferson's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with A Summary View of the Rights of British America.
- What is Thomas Jefferson's last book?
- President's Speech (1801).
- What is Thomas Jefferson's most famous book?
- A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774) is Thomas Jefferson's most widely read book.
- Can I read Thomas Jefferson's books for free?
- Yes. 15 books by Thomas Jefferson are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Thomas Jefferson
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.