He was also a prolific author who wrote on both scientific and social issues; his account of his adventures and observations during his explorations in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, The Malay Archipelago, was both popular and highly regarded.
Ia juga seorang penulis yang produktif yang menulis tentang masalah-masalah sosial maupun ilmiah; catatan perjalanan dan pengamatannya selama penjelajahannya di Singapura, Indonesia, dan Malaysia, yakni The Malay Archipelago, merupakan sebuah karya yang populer dan sangat dihargai.