Emile Erlanger & Co. was a French finance and investment company established in 1864 by German born Parisian banker Baron Frederic Emile d'Erlanger and was active during and after the period of Reconstruction following the American Civil War. d'Erlanger was married to Matilde Slidell, the daughter of Louisiana merchant, lawyer and politician John Slidell. The company had a specialty in channeling French capital into Southern railroads and land development.