Frederic De Frouville was born around 1850 in Virginia. His father, Frederick De Frouville, was a French immigrant who became a U.S. citizen in 1848, and his mother, Orsena Bestor, hailed from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Frederic had familial ties to Aaron Van Camp, a Confederate spy during the Civil War.​

Professionally, De Frouville held various government positions, including roles at the U.S. Custom House in New Orleans, the Signal Corps, and the Coast Survey. However, his career was marred by chronic alcohol abuse, leading to multiple dismissals.

On September 12, 1877, he married Andrea Marie Wolstrup, a Danish immigrant and skilled linguist working as a translator in the Dead Letter Office of the U.S. Post Office. Despite warnings from friends about De Frouville's behavior, Andrea proceeded with the marriage. The couple faced personal tragedies, including the loss of their child shortly after birth.​

Andrea's professional life continued to flourish; she secured a position as a translator in the Department of Agriculture, thanks to a recommendation from Senator Benjamin Harvey Hill. However, their marriage deteriorated due to De Frouville's abusive behavior and alcoholism. Andrea legally separated from him in November 1882 and initiated divorce proceedings

On April 4, 1883, Andrea De Frouville was conducting a German lesson with 18-year-old neighbor George W. Buckingham in her Washington, D.C., residence. During the session, Frederic De Frouville entered the home uninvited. Recognizing the potential danger, Andrea instructed Buckingham to fetch the police. As Buckingham fled, De Frouville fatally shot Andrea in the head and then turned the revolver on himself, committing suicide before authorities could arrive.​

An inquest confirmed the sequence of events, with Buckingham's testimony corroborating the details. Andrea was laid to rest in the Congressional Cemetery, while Frederic was interred in an unmarked grave at Glenwood Cemetery.​