Josiah Gilbert Holland (July 24, 1819 – October 12, 1881) was an American novelist and poet. He helped to found and edit Scribner’s Monthly (afterwards the Century Magazine), which published his novels, Arthur Bonnicastle, The Story of Sevenoaks, Nicholas Minturn. In poetry he wrote “Bitter Sweet” (1858), “Kathrina”, the lyrics to the Methodist hymn “There’s a Song in the Air“, and many others. The Mistress and the Manse (1874) was published the year Helena and Richard were married and was illustrated by Helena and her friend Molly (Mary Hallock Foote) and Thomas Moran.

He was an extremely popular poet of his time.