(b Oxford, 12 Jan 1831; d Worth, W. Sussex, 17 April 1915). English architect and designer. He was articled from 1849 to 1852 to the architect John Billing (1818–63) of Reading. Billing retained him as assistant until 1854 when Webb joined the firm of Bidlake & Lovatt in Wolverhampton. Appalled by the effects of heavy industry in that city, he left after four weeks, returning to Oxford to work for G. E. Street. In 1856, while working as Street’s chief clerk, he was made responsible for a new pupil, William Morris, with whom he formed a close friendship. (It was to be Webb who, when Morris died in 1896, designed his tomb (Kelmscott, Oxon, St George) after a Viking ridged tomb-house.) Later that year Webb and Morris moved with Street to London, where both became closely involved with the Pre-Raphaelite circle. This group and its patrons provided Webb with a steady supply of clients after 1859 when he set up his own practice, his first commission being the design for Morris’s new home, Red House (1859), Bexleyheath, Kent. Webb’s output was small because, following Street’s example but lacking his speed, he designed every detail himself. He lived and worked in Gray’s Inn, London, and employed only a couple of assistants.

• Webb, Philip (Speakman)
  • England, §V, 6: Interior decoration, 1831–1900
  • Powell, James
  • Street, G. E., §1: Early career
  • collaboration
    • Morris, William, §3: Morris & Co.
  • groups and movements
    • England, §II, 5(ii): Architecture, c 1830–c 1914: Styles
    • Gothic Revival, §I, 1(iii): Architecture: Growth, theory and alliance with nationalism
    • Modern Movement, §1: Origins, 1860–c 1907
    • Organic architecture
    • Queen Anne Revival, §1: Origins and development in England
  • patrons and collectors
    • Boyce, George Price
    • Howard (ii): (4) George James Howard, 9th Earl of Carlisle
    • Prinsep, Val
    • Stanhope, Roddam Spencer
  • teachers
    • Street, G. E., §2: Later career
  • works
    • Artist’s house, §2: 19th century
    • Brick, §II, 3(ii)(c): Western world: 19th century
    • Brighton
    • England, §II, 5: Architecture, c 1830–c 1914
    • England, §VI, 6: Furniture, 1831–1900
    • England, §IX, 2(iv): Base metalwork, after 1800
    • Ionides
    • Morris, William, §2: Early life and influences
    • Morris, William, §5: The Kelmscott Press
    • Roof, §2: Forms