William Gilmore Simms books in order
American writer
- Lived
- 1806–1870
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 30
William Gilmore Simms published 23 novels, 1 short story collection, 3 non-fiction books, 2 poetry collections and 1 other book, beginning with The Cassique of Kiawah (1859).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with William Gilmore Simms
Start here
The Cassique of Kiawah
William Gilmore Simms's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Martin Faber (1833)
The Yemassee (1835)
Mellichampe (1836)
Pelayo (1838)
Border Beagles (1840)
Helen Halsey (1845)
The Life of Captain John Smith (1846)
The Golden Christmas (1852)
Southward Ho! (1854)
The Partisan (1854)
The Scout (1854)
Woodcraft (1854)
Richard Hurdis (1855)
The Forayers (1855)
The Maroon (1855)
Beauchampe (1856)
Charlemont (1856)
Vasconselos (1856)
The Cassique of Kiawah (1859)
Katharine Walton (1864)
Guy Rivers (1886)
Eutaw (1890)
Short story collections in order
The Wigwam and the Cabin (1845)
Non-fiction in order
The History of South Carolina (1840)
The Life of Francis Marion (1844)
Sack and Destruction of the City of Columbia, S.c (1865)
Poetry in order
Atalantis (1832)
War Poetry of the South (1867)
Other books in order
The Damsel of Darien (1839)
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About William Gilmore Simms
William Gilmore Simms was an American poet, novelist, politician and historian from the American South. His writings achieved great prominence during the 19th century, with Edgar Allan Poe pronouncing him the best novelist America had ever produced. He is still known among literary scholars as a major force in antebellum Southern literature. He is also remembered for his strong support of slavery and for his opposition to Uncle Tom's Cabin, in response to which he wrote reviews and the pro-slavery novel The Sword and the Distaff (1854). During his literary career he served as editor of several journals and newspapers and he also served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
William Gilmore Simms FAQ
- How many books has William Gilmore Simms written?
- William Gilmore Simms published 23 novels, 1 short story collection, 3 non-fiction books, 2 poetry collections and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read William Gilmore Simms's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Cassique of Kiawah.
- What is William Gilmore Simms's last book?
- Sack and Destruction of the City of Columbia, S.c (1865).
- What is William Gilmore Simms's most famous book?
- The Cassique of Kiawah (1859) is William Gilmore Simms's most widely read book.
- Can I read William Gilmore Simms's books for free?
- Yes. 5 books by William Gilmore Simms are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like William Gilmore Simms
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.