On the linearity of the holomorph group of a free group on two generators

Let F_n denote the free group generated by n letters. The purpose of this article is to show that Hol(F_2), the holomorph of the free group on two generators, is linear. Consequently, any split group extension of F_2 by a linear group H is linear. This result gives a large linear subgroup of Aut(F_3). A second application is that the mapping class group for genus one surfaces with two punctures is linear.