Holme, Ernest Rudolph (ER)
Ernest Rudolph Holme was born at Footscray, Melbourne on 18 March 1871, the son of Rev. Thomas Holme, an Anglican clergyman from Manchester England, and Martha Louise Maria Zillman. The Reverend Holme was sent as rector to All Souls Church, Leichhardt in 1882, and Ernest and his brother John were educated at The King's School, Parramatta. Following this he studied for a BA at Sydney University, graduating with first-class honours in Latin and English in 1891. He received his MA in 1909. Holme taught English at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) during the years 1891-94, and in 1894 was appointed to a lecturership in English at Sydney University, also teaching French and German, under Professor Mungo MacCallum, with whom he became a close friend. He retained his connection with Shore as a member of the school Council, a position he held until his death. In 1951 he published a history of the Sydney Church of England Grammar School, titled 'Shore'.
In 1905 Holme took leave, and studied language and literature at the Universities of Paris and Berlin. While he was in Berlin Holme spent some time studying phonetics at the famous Tilley Institute. Following his return Holme published a report entitled "Aspects of commercial education in Europe", and two years later his second book "First principles of French pronunciation" was published. In the same year, 1908, he was appointed Assistant Professor of English, a position he held for the next 13 years.
Holme had always been interested in the welfare of students, and during his term as President of the University Union he originated plans to reconstitute the Union, providing for a dedicated Union building with gardens and lawns. The new Union building (now known as the 'Holme Building') was ready for occupation early in the first term of 1913. Holme also maintained a life-long interest in the extension lecture system, and the evening students, being 'almost perpetual' president of the Evening Students Association.
During the First World War Holme worked for the Censorship Department as censor in charge of foreign mail. In August 1918 he was appointed Honorary Captain in the education service of the AIF, and went to London after the armistice where he superintended the entrance of Australian servicemen into British and French universities. He returned to Australia in 1920 via the United States and wote a book about his experience of universities there, "The American University", which was published the same year.
When Sir Mungo MacCallum retired as Professor of Modern Literature his chair was divided into a chairs of English language and literature. Upon his return from Europe Holme was appointed to the new McCaughey chair in English Language. That same year Holme was made an O.B.E., and later was given decorations by the Belgian (1935) and Latvian governments. Holme was dedicated to the University, and during the 1920s worked tirelessly on a number of important funding projects. He was Honorary Secretary of the War Memorial Carillon appeal, and toured Britain and Europe in 1926 examining functioning carillons. During 1927-28 Holme was Director of the 75th Anniversary Appeal, eventually raising over 300,000 pounds. During the latter part of the 1920s Holme was the moving force behind the development of the University's bronze war memorial honour rolls which were unveiled in 1931 at the main entrance to the Quadrangle.
Holme was affectionately known as 'Sonny', and was Secretary of the University Extension Board for a long period after 1911, a director of the University Club, and a founder, in 1923, and later president, of the English Association, which published the magazine 'Southerly'. Holme retired from his Professorship in 1941, but always maintained a strong interest in the University. He was awarded an Honorary D.Litt in 1952. Holme never married, and lived in Neutral Bay with his sister Ada. He died in hospital on 20 August 1952, and was cremated with Anglican rites.