Benjamin Ricaro Jacobs, Ph.d. (March 15, 1876 — February 1, 1962) was born at the American Consulate in Lima, Peru to Rosa Mulet Jacobs of Valparaiso, Chile, a French-Chilian, and Washington Michael Jacobs of South Carolina in the United States of America. His mother was the accomplished and well educated daughter of a noted French merchant in Valparaiso. At the time of his birth, his father was the American vice-consul to Peru. His father also was engaged in mining in several countries in South America and published a semi-weekly newspaper, El Tumbes, and the Imprenta Americana.