Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-11-15
DR.. v. |. EMERSON,
Of TECH FACULTY,
IS TAKEN BY DEATH

Dr. William Henry Emerson, dean
of the chemistry department at
Georgia Tech, member of the fac
ulty since the founding of the
loved and most widely-knoWn educa
tors in the south, died Thursday
morning at $3.50 o'clock at his resi-
dence, 100 West North avenue.
While he had been in ill health
for more than d year, DR.. Emerson,
i'll his devotion to Georgia Tech,
The course Of the chemistry depart
ment lnt, illness forced him to Sus-
pend his duties several weeks ago.
His Geath, While not unexpected by
members of the immediate family,
came as a distinct shock to his hun
drcds OF friends III the city and at
the institution with which he was SO
intimately identified
On Saturday. at II o'clock, at the
Hotel Biltmore, the class of 1924
| was to have presented a handsome
| portrait of DR.. Emerson to Georgia
1
to have taken a prominent part in
the program. 1t was announced FRI
day afternoon, however, that the
presentation of the portrait VIII take
on the character of a memorial to
the dean, and that impressive cere-
monies will mark the occasion.
Was Highly Esteemed
DR.. Emerson enjoyed a position Of
high esteem in the hearts Of Georgia
Tech men extending over thirty
six year period. In the fall of 1888,
when the institution opened it's doors
for the first time, DR.. Emerson went
there as head of the chemistry de-
partment Since that time he had
been associated with every interest
of the institution. In 1910 he was
I made dean Of the institution, as q
tribute to his teaching ability and
the place he held in the hearts Of his
associates. In 1912 as a further
( tribute to his character, and his
standing in the profession which he
had served so consistently and well,
| he was awarded the degree of doctor
of science by the University of Geor.
gia.
Officials of Georgia Tech, and men
acquainted over a long period of serV-
ice with DIR. Emerson, Thursday, paid
tribute both to DIR. Emerson as the
man, and DIR. Emerson. the scholar,
the lover of his profession.
"He was one of the men whose
footprints have been deepest and
most important in the history of the
school" DIR. NJ. L. Britain, presi-
dent, said in telling of the deans love
Of Tech. His first interest, in the
years l knew him, and was associat-
ed with him, was in Tech"
Others Pay Tributes
DR.. Gilbert II. Boggs, associated
with DR.. Emerson in the department
Of chemistry for tWenty-one years,
spoke in high regard of DR.. Emer-
son as a man whose work was the
important thing in his life, but one
whose life also was centered in the
affections of those who knew him, a
man who enjoyed the respect and
admiration of all who came in con-
tact with him.
DR.. Emerson was born June IT.
1860, at Tunnel Hill, Ga. His IA
Their was Caleb Emerson, a we'll
known practicing physician of his
son, was Miss Caroline Austin, the
daughter OF a well-known family.
Always interested, even as q young
man, in education, particularly
books of travel, DR.. Emerson at
tended the schools of his commune
ty, such as they were, and in 1876
won a congressional appointment
to the naval academy, entering the
institution in the fall Of that year.
He was graduated from the insti-
tuition with the class of 1880, having
made an excellent record in his
studies. He served as an officer in
the navy until 1883, and then re-
signed to pursue his educational
work.
Came To Tech in 1883
Entering Johns Hopkins univer-
sity, Baltimore, in 1883, Or. Elmer.
son was graduated two years later
with a Ph.D. degree in chemistry.
From Johns Hopkins, he accepted a
position in the Citadel university,
where he taught until 1883, when
he was offered the chair Of chemis-
try by the first board Of trustees
of Georgia Tech.
In connection with his work as
head of the department of chem
istry, to which position his splendid
intellectual attainments were con-
tributed intellectually DR.. Emer
son formed associations with stu
dents that in view Of his lovable
traits of character and sympathetic
treatment Of student needs made
him one of the bestowed men in
the institution. He manifested
deep interest in the Emerson Chem
ical society an organization found
ed several years ago in his honor.