Emily Sarah Holt (1836–1893) was a prolific English novelist of the Victorian era, recognized for her extensive contributions to historical fiction and children's literature. Born in Stubbylee, Bacup, Lancashire, she was the eldest daughter of John Holt and Judith Mason, whose father was a prominent local justice of the peace. Holt is said to have received her education in Oxford, establishing a strong intellectual foundation that would later support her extensive writing career.\n\nOver the course of her life, Holt authored more than fifty books, with fifty-two distinct historical novels recorded in the British Museum Library catalogue. Her literary output was characterized by a distinct Protestant religious perspective, which she consistently wove into her narratives. These works primarily targeted younger readers, combining detailed historical settings with moral and religious instruction designed to guide her audience.\n\nIn late 1893, while staying in Harrogate, Holt fell seriously ill. She traveled to her brother's home in Balham, London, where she passed away on Christmas Day of that year. She was returned to her native Lancashire for burial at the Church of St Saviour's in Bacup, where a memorial was erected to commemorate her life and literary legacy.
