Emerson Etheridge
1820–1889
Source: Library of Congress
Biography
Emerson Etheridge was a prominent American politician and diplomat who served during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and was known for his Union sympathies during the war, which made him a controversial figure in his home state. Etheridge later served in various diplomatic and administrative positions, including roles in the State Department and as a federal official overseeing Reconstruction efforts in the South.