Eustis Estate

W. Ralph Emerson: His Life and His Family

Man with mustache standing and looking over shoulder of woman with white cap holding a book. W. Ralph Emerson: His Life and His Family

Despite his deep associations with New England culture and architecture, William Ralph Emerson was born in Alton, Illinois on March 11, 1833. His parents—Dr. William S. Emerson and Olive L. Bourne—were natives of Kennebunk, Maine, but the family moved west as Dr. Emerson became involved in land speculation.