William Wymark Jacobs was an English short story writer and novelist, best remembered for his classic horror tale "The Monkey's Paw." Born in London and raised near the docks of Wapping, Jacobs developed an intimate knowledge of maritime life that would shape his literary career. Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as a clerk in the Post Office Savings Bank.
Jacobs achieved early success with his first collection, Many Cargoes (1896), followed by Sea Urchins (1898) and A Master of Craft (1900). His humorous stories, typically set aboard ships and along the Thames waterfront, feature vivid characters such as skippers, boatmen, and night watchmen, rendered with authentic cockney dialogue and gentle irony.
However, it is "The Monkey's Paw" (1902), published in the collection The Lady of the Barge, that secured his lasting fame. This supernatural tale of wishes granted with horrific consequences has become one of the most anthologized horror stories in English literature, influencing countless writers, including Stephen King.
Jacobs continued writing into the 1920s, producing around eighteen volumes of fiction. Though overshadowed by his famous horror story, he remains celebrated as a master of both macabre suspense and understated British humor.