Books by John Henry Newman

Promoter of a "well-instructed laity": books and essays described; novels; anthologies


The standard edition of John Henry Newman's collected works comprises 40 volumes.

Fr Vincent Ferrer Blehl, SJ, as part of his work promoting the cause for sainthood of Cardinal Newman, cataloged (to the extent possible given the challenges) all the editions and printings of the writings of John Henry Newman during the Cardinal's lifetime:

John Henry Newman: a Bibliographical Catalogue of his Writings,
Vincent Ferrer Blehl, SJ, University Press of Virginia, 1978

Father Blehl's contributions to the cause are described in his obituary: "Native of the Bronx, Professor of English Literature, Jesuit of the New York Province, 21-year resident of Europe working for the canonisation of a Londoner — all these facts about Vincent Blehl seem like shards from rather incompatible ciphers until one recognises the indicating number — John Henry Newman — the priest, theologian, poet, preacher, and extraordinary man of God."

The twelve volumes of sermons that Newman published are described on the Sermons page.  The book of meditations and devotions is noticed on the Prayers page. This page presents other books that he published.

A more extensive bibliography of publications by and about Newman is included in the free eBook.

Selected Non-fiction Books—best known, noteworthy

The date of first publication is given in parentheses.

Development of Christian Doctrine (1845, 1878)
    Roman doctrines are legitimate developments, the magisterium of the church having made explicit what was implicit in Apostolic teaching (published 1845, extensively revised 1878)

Apologia (1865)
    Newman's spiritual autobiography, written in response to a charge of untruthfulness, on his part and that of other Catholic Priests

Idea of a University (1859)
    Newman's vision for a Catholic University based on his experience as student and tutor at Oxford and as founding Rector of the Catholic University at Dublin, Ireland (This book is an edited combination of: Discourses on the Scope and Nature of University Education (1852) and Lectures and Essays on University Subjects (1859))

Grammar of Assent (1870)
    Importance of doctrine; defense of certitude in matters of religion; what one can believe; evidences of religion

Anglican Difficulties, Volume 1 (1850)
    1850 lectures aimed at bringing the Oxford Movement to its logical conclusion, Catholic conversion

Present Position of Catholics in England (1851)
    1851 lectures in response to Protestant fury ignited by restoration of a Catholic territorial hierarchy to England

Anglican Difficulties, Volume 2 
    Combination of the following two documents:

    Letter to Pusey (1865)
    Catholic teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary consistent with Early Church teaching: Mary is Second Eve, Mother of God

    Letter to Duke of Norfolk (1875)
    Response to Gladstone's charge, after the 1870 definition of Papal infallibility, that Catholics could no longer be loyal citizens; role of conscience

Via Media, Volume 1 
    Previously published as Prophetical Office of the Church (1837); note the added Preface

    Preface to third edition (1877)
    Newman's rebuttal to the charges against the Catholic Church that he had published 40 years previously, in the course of claiming that Anglicanism was a Via Media (middle way) between Catholicism and Protestantism

Via Media, Volume 2 (1877)
    Note especially:

    VII. Remarks on Certain Passages of the Thirty-Nine Articles (1841)
    Being No. 90 of the Tracts for the Times  

    XI. Retractation of Anti-Catholic Statements (1845)

Discussions and Arguments (1872)
Note especially:

    II. The Patristical Idea of Antichrist (1838)

    IV. The Tamworth Reading Room (1841)
    Repudiation of the view that acquisition of knowledge is the same as education, and that education makes people better: "To know is one thing, to do is another"

Verses on Various Occasions (1867)
Best known:

    XC. The Pillar of the Cloud (Lead Kindly Light) (1833)

    CLXXVII. The Dream of Gerontius (1865)

Essays Critical & Historical, Volume 1 (1871)
Note especially:

    ii. Introduction of Rationalistic Principles into Revealed Religion (1836)

    iii. Apostolical Tradition (1836)

Essays Critical & Historical, Volume 2 (1871)
Note especially:

    xi. The Protestant idea of Antichrist (1840)

    xiv. Private Judgment (1841)

Arians of the Fourth Century (1833)
First book published by Newman; note especially:

    Appendix V. The Orthodoxy of the Body of the Faithful during the Supremacy of Arianism
    Originally published as "On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine," The Rambler, July 1859, p 198

Novels

Loss and Gain (1848)
    The story of a convert

Callista (1855)
    A tale of the third century

Other Books

Lectures on Justification (1838)

Two Essays on Miracles (1870)

Historical Sketches (1874),
    Volume 1: Newman Reader | Internet Archive | NINS
    Volume 2: Newman Reader | Internet Archive | NINS
    Volume 3: Newman Reader | Internet Archive | NINS

Tracts Theological and Ecclesiastical (1874)

Anthologies

Many have published selections from Newman’s writings.  The first such appeared during his lifetime:

Characteristics from the Writings of John Henry Newman,
Edited by William Samuel Lilly, Henry S King & Co., 1874

Another one of note was published by Fr Blehl:

The essential Newman,
Edited by Vincent Ferrer Blehl, SJ
New American Library, 1963

    "During a research visit to Rome in 1958, Blehl happened to be present at the beatification of the foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor and Aged. He wrote that he 'could not help thinking what a wonderful event it would be to be present at Newman's, God willing.' Alas, he will not now be present personally, but when that day surely arrives, nobody should forget that it was Vincent Blehl more than anybody who made it possible."—obituary

Guide to Saint John Henry Newman 2025

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