Frances Calderon De La Barca

Life in Mexico During a Residence of Two Years in That Country Frances Calderon De La Barca

Frances Erskine nee Inglis, Marquess Calderon de la Barca (1804-1882), who also wrote under the pseudonym Madame C- de la B-, was a scottish author. She emigrated to the United States following the death of her father. In 1836 Isabella II sent the Spanish diplomat Angel Calderon de la Barca there, whom Frances married in 1838. They lived in Mexico until 1842. She was widowed in 1861. In 1876 Alfonso XII gave her the title of Marquess. She is famous for her book La Vida en Mexico Durante una Residencia de Dos Anos en Este Pais published in 1843. It was translated as Life in Mexico During a Residence of Two Years in That Country and was well received in the English and Spanish speaking worlds. A classic memoir, it has been in print ever since. She also wrote El Agregado en Madrid o Bocetos de la Corte de Isabel II, translated as The Attache in Madrid; or, Sketches of the Court of Isabella II (1856).