William Emerson

Background

Emerson was born in Alton, Illinois, a cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and trained in the office of Jonathan Preston (1801–1888), an architect–builder in Boston, Massachusetts.

Career

He partnered with Carl Fehmer in Emerson and Fehmer. He is best known for his Shingle Style houses and inns. He worked with fellow Boston designer Frederick Law Olmsted on the creation of the National Zoo in Washington, District of Columbia, designing several of the zoo"s first buildings.

Emerson died in Milton, Massachusetts.

Connections

Partner:

Carl Fehmer

Friend:

William Morris