Emerson was educated at Harvard University and Columbia University's College of Physicians & Surgeons (P&S), where he later served as an associate in physiology and medicine.
[1] During his career, Emerson served as the first Director of Columbia's DeLamar Institute of Public Health and held roles in the Department of Health of the City of New York.
[1][2] In addition to his domestic contributions, Emerson served in the United States Army Medical Corps (1918-19), took part in global health initiatives, and participated in the Health Section of the League of Nations.
[1] Emerson is recognized for co-establishing the Hospital Council of Greater New York in 1938.
[1] Emerson married Grace Parrish in 1901 and they had five children.