John Rose Holden (sometimes called Rose-Holden) (27 September 1821 – 25 February 1879) was a Canadian politician and lawyer. He was mayor of Hamilton, Canada West in 1851. Born in Daventry, Northamptonshire, England, John Rose Holden was the son of a wealthy Church of England clergyman. Little is known of his early life, but he is believed to have come to Canada at an early age. He was well educated in both English and French, and studied law with Judge Campbell at Niagara, Upper Canada. After being called to the bar, he entered a partnership with Richard Oliver Duggan (for whom Whitehern was built) in Hamilton, enjoying a lucrative practice. He was married to Mary Emily Roach and had two sons and three daughters.