Rebecca Schall grew up in San Francisco's Richmond district, graduated with a bachelor's degree in history and psychology from Occidental College in Southern California, and received a master's degree in history from San Francisco State University. She has conducted historical research on the Ohlone Indians, San Francisco during the Civil War, and the experience of the Japanese population in San Francisco during World War II. In addition to her academic research, she has developed exhibits for the Mission Dolores Museum of Bay Area Indian History, contributed articles to the Encyclopedia of San Francisco, and has worked on an archaeological excavation in San Francisco's Presidio. She is a member of the San Francisco and California Historical societies, as well as other local historical organizations. She is currently living in Paris, where she continues her studies at the Sorbonne.