Jane Craven

Jane Wells Craven
Born	(1875-01-25)January 25, 1875 Lucknow, India
Nationality	American
Education	Northwestern University Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine circa 1898
Occupation(s)	physician, tennis player, WWI ambulance driver

Dr. Jane Wells Craven(born January 25, 1875, in India, but lived primarily inChicago, Illinois) was anAmericandoctor, prize winningtennisplayer,World War I.ambulance driverand medic.

Craven won the 1899U.S. National Championshipsin women'sdoubles tennis,alongside her teammateMyrtle McAteer.She was awarded theCroix de Guerrein 1917 for her medical service in France during World War I.

She later became aRoman Catholicnunand took the name Sister Elizabeth.

Early life and education

Jane Wells Craven was born on 25 January 1875 inLucknow,India, to Jane Maria (née Wells) (d. 1914)and Reverend Thomas Craven. Her parents married in 1870, her mother was fromNew York stateand her father was aWelsh-bornMethodist Missionary."Jennie," as she was known in the family, had three siblings: Theodora (b. 1872), Henry (b. 1874) and Merritt (b. 1876).

The Craven family immigrated to the United States in 1879and had settled inEvanston,Illinoisby 1880, where Jane Wells Craven attendedEvanston Township high school.She studied medicine atNorthwestern Universityin Evanston,graduating around 1898 with aDoctor of Osteopathic Medicine(D.O.) degree.Her siblings Theodora and Henry also attended Northwestern.

Craven eventually began playinglawn tennisand won the1899US Women's National Championship in women's doubles with Myrtle McAteer. They later played together on 30 June 1909 and won a qualifying match in the Western Pennsylvania Tennis Association tournament.

In 1900, Craven narrowly escaped marrying a serialbigamistwhen one of his wives wrote to her and warned her of the situation. She replied "Thank you for your warning. Have learned the truth in time".

Medical career

By 1899, Dr. Craven was living and working inosteopathic medicineinPittsburgh, Pennsylvania,as listed in thecity's directory.

By 1905, Craven had returned to her birthplace of Lucknow in India and was using her medical expertise to help to plague victims there. She spokeHindi.Before 1910, she worked inEgypt,again as part of medical teams fighting contagious diseases and plague. By 1911, Craven had returned to Pittsburgh, when she was runner-up toHazel Hotchkissin a tennis event.

Whilst living in Pittsburgh, Craven visited the Iron City Fishing Club in Moon Bay,Woods Bayin theMassasauga Provincial Park,Ontario, Canada. She purchased Island B69 in 1912, built a cottage on it and called itDilkusha,from Hindi. Craven sold the island in 1920, having reportedly found solace there from the traumas of her medical work in World War One.

World War One

Craven was instrumental in raising funds in Pittsburgh to take afield ambulanceand crew to the French front duringWorld War I.She drove the ambulance herself.

In December 1917, she was awarded theCroix de Guerrefor her work during the war. She is thought to be the first American woman to be honored with the award.

Tennis

Grand Slam finals

Doubles (1 title)

Outcome	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Winner	1899	U.S. National Championships	Grass	Myrtle McAteer	Maud Banks Elizabeth Rastall	6–1, 6–1, 7–5

Mixed doubles (1 runner-up)

Outcome	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Runner-up	1899	U.S. National Championships	Grass	James P. Gardner	Elizabeth Rastall Albert Hoskins	6–4, 6–0 & ab.

Other finals

Doubles (1 runner-up)

Outcome	Year	Championship	Partner	Opponents	Score
Runner-up	1910	Cincinnati tournament	Miriam Steever	Martha Kinsey Helen McLaughlin	6–1, 4–6, 3–6