- Born
- 22 April 1822
Essex, England - Died
- 25 April 1918
New South Wales, Australia - Alternative Names
- Old Boomerang (pseudonym)
Summary
Houlding was born at Essex, England, and came to Australia in 1839, working as a solicitor's clerk, a shopkeeper and a ship owner, among other occupations. He was a devout Methodist, who began writing for the popular press in 1855 while recuperating from a nervous breakdown. His first novel, Australian Capers, or Christopher Cockle's Australian Experiences, was published in London and Sydney in 1867 and told the story of a 'new chum' making his way in the colonies. Houlding also wrote for the Sydney Mail, using the name 'Old Boomerang', and some of his contributions were published as Australian Tales and Sketches from Real Life in 1868. He continued writing journalism, short stories and sketches and novels until his eyesight failed in the 1890s.