Julia Holder

Lady Julia Maria Holder (née Stephens; 6 July 1856 – 19 May 1941) was an Australian philanthropist, stateswoman and suffragist.

Life Julia grew up in Burra, the daughter of John Riccardo Stephens, a Cornishman, homeopathic doctor, farmer, teacher, and shopkeeper who had studied for the Methodist ministry. On 29 March 1877, at Burra, Holder married Frederick Holder, who was later a state and federal Member of Parliament, Premier of South Australia and first Speaker of the Australian Parliament.

Death of husband On 23 July 1909, her husband Frederick presided over the Australian Parliament in Melbourne, where he suffered a seizure in the House, later diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage, and died that same day. Holder was told the news via telegram in Adelaide and took the afternoon express train from Adelaide to Melbourne as Holder wanted to ensure her husband’s body was returned to South Australia for burial, where he was granted a state funeral, which took place in Adelaide.

Ethel Roby Holder MA (1878– ) Rhoda Sims Holder (1880– ) Frederick Stephens Holder (1882– ) Winifred Breakspeare Holder (1886– ) Evan Morecott Holder (1888– ) Sydney Ernest Holder (1890– ) Ruth Eliza Holder (1892– ) Ida Margaret Holder (1894– )