William Wilfrid Webb

“ Besides writing the ‘Life of Freind’ in choice Latin, he translated the ‘History of Physick’ into Latin and prefixed to the folio edition of 1732 a long alcaic ode, dated 15 July 1727, which he had composed on Freind's appointment as physician to the queen. ”

“ He was for many years counsel to Charles Seymour, ‘the Proud’ duke of Somerset, and to Sarah, duchess of Marlborough. In 1705–6 he was one of the counsel retained by Richard Cromwell in the suit instituted against his daughters to obtain possession of Hursley Manor, in which he had a life interest under the will of his son Oliver. Pengelly obtained a decision in his client's favour. He was created serjeant-at-law on 12 May 1710, was knighted on 1 May 1719, and on 24 June of the same year, on the death of Sir Thomas Powis, was appointed king's prime serjeant. ”

“ Besides sitting at the Guildhall and at Westminster, he presided at many provincial assizes. The qualities that had characterised his career at the bar distinguished his conduct on the bench. Few judges more signally commanded public confidence. ”

“ In 1781 he settled at Darlington, where he published a small tract entitled ‘Observations on the Sulphur Waters of Croft’ (8vo, 1782; 2nd edit. 1786; new edit. 1815) . He soon afterwards removed to London, and was appointed physician to the Public Dispensary on its establishment in the early part of 1783. He resigned this appointment in December 1803, when the governors of the charity named him consulting physician, made him a life governor, and presented him with a handsome piece of plate. His practice at the dispensary was very numerously attended, and the number of his pupils was large ”

“ He became a surgeon to the East Norfolk militia, and as such saw much home service. In 1795, when the regiment was encamped near Deal Castle, he was appointed the senior of a number of surgeons to whom was deputed the charge of several hundred Russian sailors suffering from malignant fever and dysentery. ”

“ Williams's principal works were: 1. ‘Hints on the Ventilation of Army Hospitals and on Regimental Practice,’ 1798, 8vo. 2. ‘A Concise Treatise on the Progress of Medicine since the year 1573,’ 1804, 8vo. 3. ‘General Directions for the Recovery of Persons apparently dead from Drowning,’ 1808, 12mo. 4. ‘Pharmacopœia Valetudinarii Gippovicensis,’ 1814, 12mo. 5. ‘A Plain and Brief Sketch of Cholera, with a Simple and Economical Mode for its Treatment,’ 2nd edit., revised and enlarged, Ipswich, 1832, 8vo. ”