About Julia Matthews
Lived 1842 – 1876 (aged 33). Julia Matthews was an Australian actor and opera singer.
Julia Matthews or Julia Mathews (14 December 1842 – 19 May 1876) was an English actress and singer who was popular on the stage, particularly in Melbourne.
Life Matthews was born in London in 1842. Her parents were Sarah (born Irviner) and James Mathews. Her father was a sailor who also made artificial flowers. The family moved to Sydney where she made her debut on the stage of the Royal Victoria Theatre.
She received and refused a marriage proposal from Robert O'Hara Burke in 1860, shortly before the Burke and Wills expedition. Burke had made her his sole heir. She was one of the first to call for a search party.
She was played by Greta Scacchi in Burke & Wills (1985) and by Nicole Kidman in Wills & Burke (1985).
It has been claimed that the film actress Jessie Matthews (1907–1981) was a descendant.
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Important facts
People in Julia Matthews's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Julia Matthews's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Julia Matthews?
Australian actor (1842-1876)
When was Julia Matthews born?
Julia Matthews was born on 14 December 1842 in London.
When did Julia Matthews die?
Julia Matthews died on 19 May 1876.
What was Julia Matthews's occupation?
Julia Matthews was an actor and opera singer.
What nationality was Julia Matthews?
Julia Matthews was Australian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Julia Matthews. https://biography.guide/julia-matthews/
MLA: "Julia Matthews." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/julia-matthews/.
Chicago: "Julia Matthews." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/julia-matthews/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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