Isabel Florence Hapgood was born in Boston in 1851 and became an accomplished American writer and translator. She is best known for her English translations of major French literary works, particularly Victor Hugo's novels. Her translation of Les Misérables was published in 1887, followed by her translation of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame in 1888, which she published under its original French title, Notre-Dame de Paris. Beyond her work with French literature, Hapgood also earned recognition for her translations of Russian texts, establishing herself as a skilled translator across multiple languages and literary traditions. She lived until 1928, passing away in New York City.