He was the third son of the painter and Keeper of the Royal Academy in London, Philip Hermogenes Calderon and was married (in 1892) to Ethel Wells Armstead (b.

He and Charles Edward Johnson, a landscape artist, started the School of Animal Painting[1] at 54 Baker Street, London in April 1895;[2] Calderon acted as principal until 1916.

Some of their students were Cecil Aldin, Lionel Edwards, Alfred Munnings, Lady Helena Gleichen, Frederic Whiting and George E. Studdy.

His 1936 book Animal Painting and Anatomy[3] is still considered a useful reference source.

He illustrated numerous books such as "The Most Delectable History of Reynard The Fox" edited by Joseph Jacobs and published by Macmillan in 1895.