Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humourist born in 1859. Growing up, he didn't have much money, and therefore was unable to finish school. Before pursuing writing, he had worked as an actor, but switched career paths when he first found success as an author. His most notable works include Three Men in a Boat, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, and Three Men on the Bummel.