Edward Singleton Holden (November 5, 1846 – March 16, 1914)[1] was an American astronomer and the fifth president of the University of California.

In 1873 he became professor of mathematics at the US Naval Observatory, where he made a favorable impression on Simon Newcomb.

Holden was president of the University of California from 1885 until 1888,[1] and the first director of the Lick Observatory from 1888 until the end of 1897.

[2] In 1901, Holden became the librarian of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he remained until his death.

He is credited with designing the rolled stainless steel gauge present in most modern fire extinguishers.