William Henry Emerson

William Henry "Big Doc" Emerson (June 17, 1860 – November 13, 1924 ) was an American chemistry professor and dean at Georgia Tech.

Life William Henry Emerson was born in Tunnel Hill, Georgia in 1860 to Matilda Caroline Austin, daughter of Clisbe Austin, and Caleb J. Emerson. He joined the United States Naval Academy at age 16, graduating in 1880.

Emerson was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He received an honorary Sc.D. degree from the University of Georgia in 1912.

Legacy

William Henry Emerson's son, Cherry Logan Emerson, Sr., also attended Georgia Tech and served as one of its deans. The building houses Georgia Tech's Accounting, Capital Planning and Space Management, and Internal Auditing departments.

The William Henry Emerson Fellowship in Chemistry is awarded in his honor. At Emory University, Emerson is recognized by the William Henry Emerson Chair of Chemistry.