Emerson, son of Professor Ralph Emerson, Doctor of Divinity and Eliza (Rockwell) Emerson, was born on May 28, 1821, at Norfolk, Connecticut, where his father was at the time pastor of the Congregational Church. In 1829 his father became Professor of Ecclesiastical History in Andover Theological Seminary, in Andover, Massachusetts, and he was prepared for college at Phillips Academy in that place.
He graduated from Yale in 1841.
During his Senior year at Yale College he was one of the editors of the Yale Literary Magazine. After graduation he was Principal of the Union Academy in New_London, Connecticut a year, spent two years in Andover Theological Seminary, and was then Tutor in Yale College from September, 1844 to April, 1848 He was licensed to preach while Tutor, and was ordained a Congregational minister on February 22, 1860. Receiving the appointment of Professor of Ancient Languages in Beloit College, Wisconsin, he entered upon his duties in May, 1848, after an eventful journey thither, which ended with a two days" ride in an open buggy across the prairie from Milwaukee.
Five students formed the fiist Freshman class, and the material equipment consisted of an incomplete brick building.
Professor Emerson"s department was divided in 1855, and his chair was thereafter that of Greek. He was also Librarian for many years.
By his students he was known as Zeus, so powerful was his influence upon their characters as well as upon their scholarship. On the fortieth anniversary of his connection with Beloit College, in May, 1888, Professor Emerson was remembered with many letters and other testimonials from Beloit graduates and other friends.
In June, 1870, Professor Emerson went abroad, and spent over a year in travel and study in Europe, Palestine and Egypt.
In November, 1888, on account of his health, he made another trip to Europe, remaining abroad a year and a half. After his return he did not resume his active duties, but resided part of the time in Beloit, and part of the time in Evanston, Illinois. He was greatly interested in the development of the Art Department of Beloit College, which was started in 1892 by the gift of Mistress
Emerson"s collection.
He was the author of many addresses, sermons, lectures and magazine articles, several of which have been printed in pamphlet form. He issued in 1897, a volume of Lectures and Sermons.
He received the degree of Doctorate Doctorate. from Yale in 1880, and of Doctor of Laws from Beloit in 1897. She died in 1879, after many years of ill health.
Emerson died of general debility at his home in Beloit, on August 4, 1900, at the age of 79 years.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.
One gift bore an inscription from Xenophon"s Memorabilia of Socrates, "Having caused many to set their hearts upon attaining a noble manliness of life." By quietly interesting friends in the college he secured altogether an addition of $150,000 to its funds, and to him and his classmate, Professor Jackson J. Bushnell, who assumed his duties at Beloit only a few weeks earlier, much of the high repute and usefulness of the college is undoubtedly due. He also revised and published the History of Philosophy, left by his deceased brother-in-law, Professor Joseph Haven, Doctor of Divinity He was a member of the Connecticut and Wisconsin Academies of Arts and Sciences, and of the American Philological Association.
