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Portrait of William Beckford

William Beckford books in order

English slaver, art collector, and novelist

Lived
1760–1844
Country
United Kingdom
Books
7
Also writes as
Jacquetta Agneta Mariana Jenks, J. A. M. Jenks

William Beckford published 3 novels, 1 novella, 2 non-fiction books and 1 other book, beginning with An Arabian Tale (1786).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with William Beckford

Standalone novels in order

  1. Dreams, Waking Thoughts, and Incidents (1783)

    204 pages

    Read free

  2. Vathek (1786)

    397 pages

    Read free

  3. Azemia (1797)

    248 pages

    Buy

Novellas in order

  1. An Arabian Tale (1786)

    110 pages

    Buy

Non-fiction in order

  1. Biographical Memoirs of Extraordinary Painters (1780)

    150 pages

    Buy

  2. Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha (1835)

    228 pages

    Buy

Other books in order

  1. Italy; with Sketches of Spain and Portugal, by the Author of 'Vathek.' 2 Vols (1834)

    Read free

Free to read

All free classics

About William Beckford

William Thomas Beckford was a British writer and politician. He was reputed at one stage to be England's richest commoner. Beckford was the son of William Beckford and Maria Hamilton, the daughter of George Hamilton. He served as a Member of Parliament for Wells in 1784–1790 and Hindon in 1790–1795 and 1806–1820. Beckford is best known for writing the 1786 Gothic novel Vathek, for building Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire and Beckford's Tower in Bath, and for his extensive art collection.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

William Beckford FAQ

How many books has William Beckford written?
William Beckford published 3 novels, 1 novella, 2 non-fiction books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read William Beckford's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with An Arabian Tale.
What is William Beckford's last book?
Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha (1835).
What is William Beckford's most famous book?
An Arabian Tale (1786) is William Beckford's most widely read book.
Does William Beckford write under a pen name?
Yes: William Beckford has also published as Jacquetta Agneta Mariana Jenks and J. A. M. Jenks.
Can I read William Beckford's books for free?
Yes. 5 books by William Beckford are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.

Authors like William Beckford

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.