Elizabeth Isabella Spence (12 January 1768 – 27 July 1832) was a Scottish novelist and travel writer.

Spence was born in Dunkeld in 1768 and after being orphaned she went to live with an aunt and uncle in London, but they also died and she had to quickly turn her hobby of writing into a means of income.

Her uncle was James Fordyce, who was the author of Sermons to Young Women, and her work was said to reflect this moral approach.

[1] She initially wrote sentimental fiction but then turned her attention to travel writing.

Spence witnessed the countryside being opened up and she made literary references where the scenery was mentioned in contemporary culture like the novels of Sir Walter Scott.