William Godwin books in order
English journalist, political philosopher and novelist
- Lived
- 1756–1836
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Books
- 18
William Godwin published 4 novels, 1 short story collection, 9 non-fiction books and 4 other books, beginning with Mary and the Wrongs of Women (World's Classics) (1799).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with William Godwin
Start here
Mary and the Wrongs of Women (World's Classics)
William Godwin's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Things as They Are (1794)
Mary and the Wrongs of Women (World's Classics) (1799)
St. Leon (1799)
Fleetwood, Or, the New Man of Feeling (1805)
Short story collections in order
Fables, Ancient and Modern (1805)
Non-fiction in order
Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and Its Influence on Morals and Happiness (1793)
The Enquirer (1797)
Life of Geoffrey Chaucer (1803)
History of the Commonwealth of England (1824)
Thoughts on Man (1831)
Deloraine (1833)
Lives of the Necromancers (1834)
Other books in order
Thoughts Occasioned by the Perusal of Dr. Parr's Spital Sermon, Preached at Christ Church, April 15, 1800 (1801)
Essay on Sepulchres (1809)
Mandeville (1817)
Of Population (1820)
Free to read
All free classics
About William Godwin
William Godwin was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. Godwin is most famous for two books that he published within the space of a year: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, an attack on political institutions, and Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams, an early mystery novel that criticizes aristocratic privilege. Based on the success of both works, Godwin featured prominently in the radical circles of London in the 1790s. He wrote prolifically in the genres of novels, history and demography throughout his life.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
William Godwin FAQ
- How many books has William Godwin written?
- William Godwin published 4 novels, 1 short story collection, 9 non-fiction books and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read William Godwin's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Mary and the Wrongs of Women (World's Classics).
- What is William Godwin's last book?
- Lives of the Necromancers (1834).
- What is William Godwin's most famous book?
- Mary and the Wrongs of Women (World's Classics) (1799) is William Godwin's most widely read book.
- Can I read William Godwin's books for free?
- Yes. 10 books by William Godwin are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
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Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.