William Ernest Emerson was born in Weybridge, Surrey, England on 13 September 1875 and was articled to Sir William Emerson (1843-1924) from 1894 to 1898. He worked as an assistant to Sir Aston Webb (1849-1930). He qualified as an architect in 1900 and was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) later that year.
Emerson subsequently practised as an architect in London and in the late 1930s he was senior partner in the practice Emerson & Tutte.
Emerson's address was given as 8 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London in 1900; 2 Grosvenor Mansions, 76 Victoria Street, London in 1910; Carlton Chambers, 4 Regent Street, London in 1923 and 1926; Garrick Chambers, 11 Garrick Street, London in 1930 and 1939; and Whistlers Hill, Eashing. Guildford, Surrey in 1939. He died in Surrey on 2 November 1960.
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001