Charles Wesley Emerson (1837–1908) was an American educator, minister, and author who made significant contributions to the study of public speaking and rhetoric. He is best known as the founder, namesake, and inaugural president of the Emerson College of Oratory in Boston, Massachusetts, an institution that continues to operate today as Emerson College. In addition to his academic pursuits, Emerson served as a minister within the Unitarian Church. His theological background and pastoral experience heavily influenced his views on communication, leading him to write several books on the subject of oratory. Through his teaching and publications, he sought to elevate the practice of public speaking, establishing a lasting educational legacy in Boston.
