Frances Ellen Colenso (30 May 1849 – 28 April 1887) was an English historian of the Zulu Wars.

Colenso was educated at the John Ruskin inspired Winnington Hall until 1864 before attending the Slade School of Art.

[2] After Durnford's death at the Battle of Isandlwana, Frances wrote a book with his brother exculpating him from responsibility for that British defeat by the Zulus.

Bishop Colenso, Frances's father, died in June 1883 and her elder sister Harriet became the de facto head of the family.

She spent her final days being treated for tuberculosis in Ventnor, where she died, possibly of a heart attack, and is buried.