DeWitt Webb
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dr. DeWitt Webb (born December 19, 1840 in Clinton, New York, died April 12, 1917 in St. Augustine, Florida) was a physician, amateur naturalist, and the founder of the St. Augustine Historical Society and Institute of Science. He was the president of the society for 34 years. Webb was a member of the Florida State Legislature and the mayor of the town of St. Augustine, Florida in 1911 and 1912.
Webb moved to St. Augustine in 1880. He was a member of the St. Augustine Free Public Library Association. Professionally, Webb was a practicing doctor at Flagler Hospital and was head doctor at the State School for the Deaf and Blind. He was also the Acting Assistant Surgeon and Medical Officer at Fort Marion at the time when Native Americans lived there during the 1880s.
Webb is probably best known for his involvement in the documenting of the St. Augustine Monster of 1896. He was the only person of an academic background to examine the specimen in situ.
The Webb Building at the Oldest House of the St. Augustine Historical Society and Institute of Science was built in 1923 in his memory.
[edit] References
- Ellis, R. 1994. Monsters of the Sea. Robert Hale, London.
