Emerson Columbus Harrington (March 26, 1864 – December 15, 1945) was an American politician who served as the 48th Governor of Maryland from 1916 to 1920.

During the heated Democratic primary, Harrington's opponent Blair Lee I accused him of poorly managing the state's finances during his tenure as Comptroller, and Baltimore Mayor John H. Preston spoke ill of Harrington regarding his handling of a dispute between Baltimore City and Pennsylvania Railroad.

During the general election, Harrington defeated Republican Ovington E. Weller by 3,181 votes and was sworn in as governor on January 12, 1916.

Regarding social issues of his era, Harrington's views on women's suffrage and prohibition caused surprise to many Marylanders.

In a state that was widely considered to be "wet", or in favor of legal alcohol, Harrington caused a great deal of upheaval when he announced his support of prohibition, citing concerns for the common welfare.

[7] Harrington met with a "colored" girl and her mother during a debate over the death penalty imposed on her alleged attacker.

He died at his home in December 1945 from a short illness and was buried in the cemetery of the Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Maryland.