Serafín Estébanez Calderón (born Dec. 27, 1799, Málaga, Spain—died Feb. 5, 1867, Madrid) was one of the best-known costumbristas, Spanish writers who depicted in short articles the typical customs of the people. He moved to Madrid in 1830, where he published newspaper articles under the pseudonym El Solitario and pursued a career that combined Arabic studies, poetry, and the collecting of manuscripts. He was also influential in the government.