Charles Emmerson (1835 or 1836 – 2 June 1883) was a prominent U.S.-born restaurateur, hotel proprietor and veterinarian in Singapore.
[1] Emmerson came to Singapore in October 1860 and established a successful veterinary business in Raffles Place.
British explorer Frederick William Burbidge praised the restaurant's curries, salads and selection of newspapers.
[1] The hotel was the first in Singapore to feature a pavilion for bachelors, a bar and a billiard room.
Later that year, he opened the Emmerson's Hotel, which occupied a bungalow on Beach Road leased from merchant Syed Omar bin Mohamed Alsagoff.
[1] In a review of a Telegraph Dramatic Club production which he took part in, The Straits Times wrote: "Emmerson's confidence on the stage was unlimited, and he not only gave an impression, an excellent one, on his written part, but like a man of humour he improved upon any occasion which gave him an advantage and introduced some bye play and impromptu which were thoroughly appreciated."
[8] Additionally, he frequently gave visiting performers advice and assistance with promoting productions in Singapore.
[9] Emmerson served as the director of a gold mining company, a member of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society and the clerk of the Serangoon Road Race Course.