Jerome K. Jerome

Date of Birth: May 2, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: June 14, 1927

Biography

Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humorist, best known for his comic travelogue “Three Men in a Boat” (1889). Born into a working-class family in Walsall, Staffordshire, Jerome faced financial struggles from an early age after the death of his father. Despite these hardships, he pursued a career in literature and theater. Initially, his works were not well-received, but “Three Men in a Boat” became a bestseller and established his reputation as a humorist. Jerome’s other notable works include “Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow” and “Three Men on the Bummel.” Throughout his career, he wrote numerous essays, plays, and short stories, contributing significantly to English literature. Jerome married Georgina Elizabeth Henrietta Stanley Marris, and they had a daughter, Rowena. He continued to write and lecture until his death in 1927.

5 Interesting Facts about Jerome K. Jerome

1. Jerome initially worked as a railway clerk and schoolteacher before finding success as a writer.

2. “Three Men in a Boat” was initially intended to be a serious travel guide, but its humorous elements took over, leading to its immense popularity.

3. Jerome served as an ambulance driver in France during World War I.

4. He was a co-founder and editor of the magazine “The Idler,” which featured contributions from famous writers such as Mark Twain and Bret Harte.

5. Jerome’s middle name, Klapka, was given in honor of Lajos Kossuth’s collaborator, General György Klapka, a Hungarian revolutionary hero.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jerome K. Jerome

1. “It is always the best policy to speak the truth—unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.”

2. “I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”

3. “Time spent in laughing is time spent with the gods.”

4. “It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.”

5. “We drink one another’s health and spoil our own.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jerome K. Jerome’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but his success with “Three Men in a Boat” and other works would have provided him with a comfortable living, especially given the standards of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.