Jeremy was published in 1919 in New York by George H. Doran Company. It is the first in the Jeremy trilogy, which also includes Jeremy and Hamlet (1923) and Jeremy at Crale (1927). The books proved to be a huge commercial success in Britain and America, due to which Walpole experienced considerable fame during the 1920’s. It was in 1919 that he embarked upon his first lecture tour of America, where he received a rapturous reception and was financially rewarded for his work. He was affable and approachable, as well as being an enthusiastic and eloquent speaker and he excelled in delivering lectures. Walpole was also a highly prolific writer, who was able to produce new material in between his speaking tours. He rarely made any revisions to his work, nor did he attempt to correct any grammatical errors or inconsistencies in the narrative.
The novel takes place in the late nineteenth century and is set in the fictional, cathedral town of Polchester, which is a location featured in other novels by the author. Jeremy begins on the morning the eponymous young boy turns eight and follows his adventures over the course of a year before he leaves to attend a boarding school. He is a content and imaginative little boy, who lives a happy existence with his sisters and new dog. Walpole manages to craft a charming, amusing and appealing work, which displays a great affection for his subject.