Jane Holloway

Jane Holloway née Driver (1 November 1814 – 26 September 1875) was the inspiration for founding a women's college at Royal Holloway. Following her death, both Holloway Sanatorium and Royal Holloway were founded in her memory by her husband, Thomas Holloway. Life and business Jane Pearce Driver was born in 1814. Her father was a shipwright from Rotherhithe. In 1840, Jane married Thomas Holloway, after a period of courting where he nicknamed her "Grace Darling" after the famous Victorian heroine. Jane took an active role in Holloway's business and is reported to have worked on the production line at The Strand during the early years. Other members of her family soon also became involved in the promotion of Holloway's products, likely through Jane's influence. Thomas Holloway's business was mainly occupied in the manufacturer of pills and ointments. For many years, they lived above their business premises at 244, The Strand. When the building was demolished in 1867, they moved to 533, New Oxford Street (subsequently renumbered as 78). They eventually left London and settled at Tittenhurst Park, Sunninghill. In later years, Jane accompanied Thomas on business trips abroad to promote the products. Death Jane died in 1875 at the age of 61, eight years before Thomas. She is buried alongside her husband in a family grave at Sunninghill churchyard.