Ada Augusta Holman

Ada Augusta Holman (née Kidgell) (3 October 1869 – 3 April 1949) was a journalist and novelist in New South Wales, Australia. However, her writing career was increasingly curtailed after her marriage to politician William Arthur Holman, who was to become Premier of New South Wales.

Early life Ada Kidgell was born in Ballarat, Victoria, on 3 October 1869, the daughter of journalist Ebenezer Kidgell and his wife Agnes (née Martin). Her father worked on Clunes Guardian, the Hawthorn and Boroondara Standard and in 1895–1902 as sub-editor, The Sunday Times, Sydney. She published short stories and political articles under her own name and a number of pseudonyms including "Marcus Malcom", "Nardoo" and "Literoctopus".

In 1921 her book, Sport of the Gods'', came third in the De Garis Prize. She visited Britain and the United States with her husband; she described Woodrow Wilson as "stuffy" and "pompous". From October 1938, she was granted a pension of £1 per week by the Commonwealth Literary Fund.

Works

Later life Ada Holman died in a private hospital in Darling Point, Sydney on 3 April 1949; she was survived by her daughter Dr Portia Holman.

Kidgell Place, in the Canberra suburb of Gilmore, is named in her honour.