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Saba Holland

1802 – 1866

Biographer of her father, the wit Sydney Smith

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About Saba Holland

Lived 1802 – 1866 (aged 64). Saba Holland was a British writer.

Saba, Lady Holland (; 1802–1866) was the eldest daughter of Sydney Smith and the second wife of Sir Henry Holland, a medical doctor and travel writer, with whom she had two daughters. She made a name for herself as the author of a much-read memoir of her famous father.

Some of Smith's often-quoted sayings were first recorded in Lady Holland's memoir, including:Why, you never expected justice from a company, did you? They have neither a soul to lose, nor a body to kick. and Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea? How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea. I can drink any quantity when I have not tasted wine.; otherwise I am haunted by blue devils by day, and dragons by night.

Her daughters were Caroline Holland (1834–1909; author of Notebooks of a Spinster Lady, published posthumously in 1919) and Gertrude Holland (1840–1898).

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Also known as
Lady Saba Holland, Saba Smith

People in Saba Holland's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Saba Holland's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Saba Holland?

Biographer of her father, the wit Sydney Smith

When was Saba Holland born?

Saba Holland was born on 31 January 1802 in Edinburgh.

When did Saba Holland die?

Saba Holland died on 2 November 1866.

What was Saba Holland's occupation?

Saba Holland was a writer.

What nationality was Saba Holland?

Saba Holland was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Saba Holland

· Wikidata: Q18109072

· DBpedia: Lady Saba Holland

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Saba Holland. https://biography.guide/saba-holland/

MLA: "Saba Holland." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/saba-holland/.

Chicago: "Saba Holland." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/saba-holland/.

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