The Lady of the Barge and Other Stories

Known for his farcical comedies set in dockside and rural Essex, William Wymark Jacobs also ventured into horror, with "The Monkey's Paw" being his most famous work. His writing career began in the late 19th century while he worked as a clerk in the civil service, where he published his first short story by 1885. Jacobs' path to success was gradual; despite being offered £500 for six stories in 1898, he declined the offer, eventually achieving financial stability and leaving the post office in 1899 to focus on writing.