Emily Sarah Holt (1836-1893) was an English novelist. She was born at Stubbylee, Bacup, in Lancashire, 25 April 1836. She was the eldest daughter of John Holt whose wife Judith was the 3rd daughter of James Mason of Greens (who was JP for Lancashire and the West Riding). It is said she was educated at Oxford. Holt had written over fifty books, mainly for children. Most of Holt's work can be classified as historical novels (52 are listed in the BML catalogue). Holt's work has a Protestant religious theme.