William Congreve published 1 novella, 5 plays and 2 other books, beginning with The Way of the World (1700).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with William Congreve
Novellas in order
Incognita (1692)
Plays in order
The Mourning Bride (1697)
The Way of the World (1700)
Love for Love (1704)
The Double Dealer (1706)
The Old Bachelor (2001)
Other books in order
The Old Batchelor (1693)
The Mourning Bride: A Tragedy (1797)
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About William Congreve
William Congreve was an English playwright, satirist and poet. He played a major role in shaping English comedy, and is often regarded by literary critics as one of the greatest playwrights of the Restoration period. The popularity of his plays in the late 17th and early 18th centuries was central to the development of satirical comedy of manners, and he became recognised as a seminal figure of Restoration literature. Although he wrote several commercially successful works, Congreve is best remembered today for his quotes, such as, "O fie, miss, you must not kiss and tell", and "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
William Congreve FAQ
- How many books has William Congreve written?
- William Congreve published 1 novella, 5 plays and 2 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read William Congreve's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Way of the World.
- What is William Congreve's last book?
- Incognita (1692).
- What is William Congreve's most famous book?
- The Way of the World (1700) is William Congreve's most widely read book.
- Can I read William Congreve's books for free?
- Yes. 7 books by William Congreve are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like William Congreve
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.