Charles Wesley Emerson
Encyclopedia
Charles Wesley Emerson was the founder and first president of Emerson College
in Boston
, Massachusetts
. Charles Emerson was also the author of a number of books dealing with oratory
and a minister with the Unitarian Church
.
who preached in Congregational
and Unitarian
parishes until 1885. In 1877, Charles Emerson enrolled in Boston University
's School of Oratory where he studied Delsarte
and Swedenborg under the direction and guidance of Professor Lewis B. Monroe.
In 1879, Emerson studied medicine
in Philadelphia and conducted courses in elocution
, expression
, voice culture, art
, and topics related to oratory at the Unitarian Church
of Vineland, New Jersey
.
Shortly after the death of Lewis B. Monroe and the closure of the School of Oratory at Boston University
, Emerson opened the Boston Conservatory of Elocution, Oratory, and Dramatic Art in 1880. A year later, the name was changed to the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory, in honor of Monroe (now Emerson College).
During his time as president of the Conservatory, Emerson published a number of books including four volumes of The Evolution of Expression which became the core text in the Conservatory's curriculum.
In 1900, Henry and Jessie Southwick purchased Emerson College. Emerson retired three years later and William James Rolfe
took his place as president of the college.
Emerson believed that the ability to communicate was the key to achieving one's full potential. Emerson was confident that once a student completed his academic program, he would have future success, no matter what endeavor or profession they chose.
Emerson is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Millis, Massachusetts
.
Emerson College
Emerson College is a private coeducational university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a "school of oratory," Emerson is "the only comprehensive college or university in America dedicated exclusively to communication and the arts in a liberal arts...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Charles Emerson was also the author of a number of books dealing with oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
and a minister with the Unitarian Church
American Unitarian Association
The American Unitarian Association was a religious denomination in the United States and Canada, formed by associated Unitarian congregations in 1825. In 1961, it merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.According to Mortimer Rowe, the Secretary...
.
Biography
Prior to establishing the College, Emerson was a ministerMinister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
who preached in Congregational
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
and Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
parishes until 1885. In 1877, Charles Emerson enrolled in Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
's School of Oratory where he studied Delsarte
François Delsarte
François Alexandre Nicolas Chéri Delsarte was a French musician and teacher.Delsarte was born in Solesmes, Nord. He was a pupil of the Paris Conservatory, was for a time tenor singer in the Opéra Comique, and composed a few songs. However, he is chiefly known as a teacher in singing and...
and Swedenborg under the direction and guidance of Professor Lewis B. Monroe.
In 1879, Emerson studied medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
in Philadelphia and conducted courses in elocution
Elocution
Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone.-History:In Western classical rhetoric, elocution was one of the five core disciplines of pronunciation, which was the art of delivering speeches. Orators were trained not only on proper diction, but on the proper...
, expression
Emotional expression
In psychology, emotional expression is observable verbal and nonverbal behaviour that communicates emotion. Emotional expression can occur with or without self-awareness...
, voice culture, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, and topics related to oratory at the Unitarian Church
American Unitarian Association
The American Unitarian Association was a religious denomination in the United States and Canada, formed by associated Unitarian congregations in 1825. In 1961, it merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.According to Mortimer Rowe, the Secretary...
of Vineland, New Jersey
Vineland, New Jersey
Vineland is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 60,724...
.
Shortly after the death of Lewis B. Monroe and the closure of the School of Oratory at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, Emerson opened the Boston Conservatory of Elocution, Oratory, and Dramatic Art in 1880. A year later, the name was changed to the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory, in honor of Monroe (now Emerson College).
During his time as president of the Conservatory, Emerson published a number of books including four volumes of The Evolution of Expression which became the core text in the Conservatory's curriculum.
In 1900, Henry and Jessie Southwick purchased Emerson College. Emerson retired three years later and William James Rolfe
William James Rolfe
William James Rolfe, Litt.D. was an American Shakespearean scholar and educator, born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on December 10, 1827....
took his place as president of the college.
Emerson believed that the ability to communicate was the key to achieving one's full potential. Emerson was confident that once a student completed his academic program, he would have future success, no matter what endeavor or profession they chose.
Emerson is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Millis, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Books by Charles Wesley Emerson
- Psycho vox; The Emerson system of voice culture (1897)
- Physical Culture (1891)
- Expressive Physical Culture (1900)
- Evolution of Expression - Volume 1 (1905)