John Holliday served in the Royal Air Force before going into the IT industry in the UK, in Canada and then Australia. A visit to a still-functioning orphanage in Jakarta, founded more than 180 years before by his ancestor, Walter Medhurst, kindled his interest in recording Walter's life. So became 'Mission to China: How an Englishman Brought the West to the Orient', published first in England followed by a Chinese version published in Taiwan.

During the research into Walter Medhurst's life, John uncovered the extraordinary life of Clara Colby, whose grandmother was Walter Medhurst's sister. Clara Colby, he determined, must be the subject of my next book. 'Clara Colby: The International Suffragist' has been published in time for the 100th anniversary of American women winning the vote, to which Clara's efforts contributed significantly.

John lives with his wife, Colleen, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.