Background
Helen Hull Jacobs was born on August 6, 1908 in Globe, Arizona, United States. She learned the game at the Berkeley Tennis Club.
Helen Hull Jacobs was born on August 6, 1908 in Globe, Arizona, United States. She learned the game at the Berkeley Tennis Club.
Helen Hull Jacobs pursued her undergraduate degree in 1929 at the University of California, Berkeley.
Jacobs served as a commander in the U.S. Navy intelligence during World War II, one of only five women to achieve that rank in the Navy. Jacobs also worked as a public information officer at the Naval Gun Factory and served at the Naval roving Ground. She retired in the rank of commander in 1968. During her career, she also worked as a senior editor with Grolier Council for Education Research in New York City.
Jacobs was a member of the U.S. Wightman Cup team from 1927 through 1937 and again in 1939. While she was still playing tennis, Jacobs became a writer. Her first books were "Modern Tennis" and "Improve Your Tennis." She also wrote fictional works, such as "Storm Against the Wind." Her autobiography "Beyond the Game" appeared in 1936. In 1949 she published "Gallery of Champions", a collection of biographies of female players, which she dedicated to Molla Mallory.
English Speaking Union , United Kingdom
Mark Twain Society , United Kingdom
Junior League , Oakland-East Bay
Women's Athletic Club , United States of America
California Writers Club , United States of America
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club , United Kingdom
Nice Tennis Club , France
California Tennis Club , United States of America
Berkeley Tennis Club
Kappa Alpha Theta
Long known to have been lesbian, Helen was in a relationship from 1934 to 1943 with Henrietta Bingham, daughter of Louisville publisher and ambassador to England Robert Bingham. Her partner in later life was Virginia Gurnee.