Book Series Guide

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Author guide

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Books in Order

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) was a Genevan philosopher, novelist, autobiographer, composer, and political theorist. His writings criticized social inequality and artificiality, explored natural education and religion, and developed influential accounts of popular sovereignty and the general will. His major works include Julie, or the New Heloise, Emile, The Social Contract, the Discourses, The Confessions, and The Reveries of the Solitary Walker. He also wrote plays, operas, works on music, botany, and political reform.

philosophypolitical theoryeducationnovelautobiographydramaoperamusicologybotanypoetry

Catalog record updated .

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Cover of The Social Contract

The Social Contract

Best starting point for Rousseau's mature political theory of sovereignty, freedom, equality, and the general will.

Cover of Julie, or the New Heloise

Julie, or the New Heloise

A major novel that presents Rousseau's ideas about passion, virtue, society, and nature through fiction.

Cover of Emile, or On Education

Emile, or On Education

The central work for Rousseau's theories of education, human development, morality, and natural religion.

The Confessions

The fullest introduction to Rousseau's self-understanding, literary voice, and autobiographical project.

Outside the series

Bibliography by category

Novels (3)
  1. Julie, or the New Heloise

    novel · 1761

  2. Letters on the Elements of Botany

    nonfiction · 1781

  3. Emile and Sophie, or the Solitaries

    novella · 1780

Nonfiction (10)
  1. Project Concerning New Signs for Music

    music treatise · 1742

  2. Dissertation on Modern Music

    music treatise · 1743

  3. The Social Contract

    political treatise · 1762

    Jean-Jacques Rousseau (28 June 1712 – 2 July 1778) was a major Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism. His political philosophy heavily influenced the French Revolution, as well as the overall development of…

  4. Emile, or On Education

    educational treatise · 1762

  5. Dictionary of Music

    reference work · 1767

  6. Considerations on the Government of Poland

    political treatise · 1782

  7. The Confessions

    memoir · 1782

  8. Rousseau Judge of Jean-Jacques: Dialogues

    autobiographical dialogue · 1782

  9. The Reveries of the Solitary Walker

    memoir · 1782

  10. Project for a Constitution for Corsica

    political treatise · 1861

Essays and speeches (9)
  1. Discourse on the Sciences and Arts

    essay · 1750

  2. Letter on French Music

    pamphlet · 1753

  3. Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men

    political essay · 1755

  4. Letter to d'Alembert on the Theatre

    pamphlet · 1758

  5. Letter to Christophe de Beaumont, Archbishop of Paris

    pamphlet · 1763

  6. Letters Written from the Mountain

    political pamphlet · 1764

  7. To Every Frenchman Who Still Loves Justice and Truth

    political pamphlet · 1776

  8. History of the Preceding Writing

    political pamphlet · 1776

  9. Essay on the Origin of Languages

    essay · 1781

Plays (2)
  1. Narcissus, or the Lover of Himself

    play · 1753

  2. Pygmalion

    play · 1771

Other (3)
  1. The Gallant Muses

    opera · 1745

  2. The Feasts of Ramire

    opera · 1745

  3. The Village Soothsayer

    opera · 1753