Image of W. W. Jacobs

Timeline

Lifetime: 1863 - 1943 Passed: ≈ 81 years ago

Title

Short Story Writer, Novelist

Country/Nationality

England
Wikipedia

W. W. Jacobs

William Wymark Jacobs was an English author and playwright known for his humorous short stories and plays. He was born in Wapping, London in 1863 and lived there for most of his life. Jacobs worked as a clerk in the civil service before turning to writing as a career, and his writing career spanned over 50 years.

Jacobs is best known for his humorous tales of everyday life, many of which were set in the East End of London, where he grew up. His writing style was characterized by wit, satire, and a keen eye for the absurdities of human behavior. Some of his most famous works include the short story "The Monkey's Paw," which has been widely anthologized and adapted for film and television, and the play "The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me," which was adapted into a children's book by Roald Dahl.

Jacobs died in 1943 at the age of 79 in London, England. He is remembered for his contributions to literature and his enduringly popular works, which continue to be read and enjoyed by people around the world. His writing remains a testament to his wit, humor, and insight into the human condition, and he continues to be a beloved figure in the literary world.

Books by W. W. Jacobs

The Monkey's Paw Cover image

The Monkey's Paw

Horror Fiction
Short Story Gothic

"The Monkey's Paw" is a supernatural short story by author W. W. Jacobs, first published in England in the collection The Lady of the Barge in 1902. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey's Paw, but the wishes come with an...

The Skipper's Wooing Cover image

The Skipper's Wooing

Fiction Humour
Marine Escape Ship Nautical Humorous Fiction

The crew of the ship come together in a syndicate to find the missing father of the lady whom their skipper should like to favour. Their resulting escapades prove to be highly amusing.

Light Freights Cover image

Light Freights

Adventure Fiction
Mystery Thriller Sailor Suspense Humorous Fiction Imagination Bravery Series

It is an exciting collection of short stories that will captivate the imagination of young readers. This book offers a thrilling journey through tales of adventure and suspense. Originally published in 1901, "Light Freights" presents a compilation of...

Night Watches Cover image

Night Watches

Fiction
Sea Short Stories England Mischief Urban Life Humor Working class Comradeship Coastal Life Night Watch Blunders Predicaments

Night Watches by W. W. Jacobs is a collection of humorous short stories that capture the lives and misadventures of working-class characters in England. The stories are told from the perspective of a night watchman who looks back on the escapades of...

Lady of the Barge Cover image

Lady of the Barge

Horror Fiction
Sea Short Stories Supernatural Suspense Water London Horror Twists Folklore Humor English Unexpected Barge

''Lady of the Barge'' is a collection of short stories by W. W. Jacobs, known for their blend of humor and unsettling twists. The stories often feature ordinary people encountering the unexpected, whether it be a mischievous spirit, a strange coinci...