WEBB, William Benning, lawyer, born in Washington, D. C., 17 September, 1825. He was graduated at Columbian college in 1844, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1847, and entered upon active practice, in which he was soon successful. When the civil war opened in 1861 he became captain of a company of District of Columbia volunteers, and when the district police force was reorganized about that time, Mr. Webb was appointed its superintendent. After holding the office for three years, and doing much good in the way of organization, he resigned his commission and resumed the practice of his profession. He subsequently became counsel for the Washington gas-light company, for Adams express company, and the 1st national bank of Washington; was also a director in the first-named company, and was chosen president of the Washington bar association. In 1885 he became president of the board of district commissioners. He is the author of a codification of the laws of the Corporation of Washington, which is accepted as a standard authority (Washington, 1868).