Julia Matthews (14 December 1842 – 19 May 1876)[1] was an English-born actress and singer who was popular on the stage, particularly in Melbourne. Matthews was born in London in 1842.[2] She received a marriage proposal from Robert O'Hara Burke shortly before the Burke and Wills expedition.[3] Matthews died aged just 33, in St. Louis, Missouri.[4]
She was played by Greta Scacchi in Burke & Wills (1985) and by Nicole Kidman in Wills & Burke (1985).
It has been claimed that the film actress Jessie Matthews (1907–1981) was a descendant.[5]