Emma Holt was born in West Derby and was the only child to Elizabeth and George Holt who was Victorian ship owner, merchant, and art collector. In 1883 she and her parents moved into Sudley House which would be her home until she retired. The Holt family were great supporters of the University College Liverpool (now the University of Liverpool) and in 1909 Emma Hold joined the council of the University. She was on the council until 1934 and donated a lot of money throughout that time.