Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Webb, Daniel
WEBB, DANIEL (1719?–1798), author, born at Maidstown, co. Limerick, in 1718 or 1719, was the eldest son of Daniel Webb of Maidstown Castle, by his wife Dorothea, daughter and heiress of M. Leake of Castle Leake, co. Tipperary. He matriculated from New College, Oxford, on 13 June 1735. In later life he resided chiefly in Bath. He wrote several theoretical works on art, which had considerable vogue for a time. He died, without issue, on 2 Aug. 1798. He was twice married: first, to Jane Lloyd; and, secondly, to Elizabeth Creed. He was the author of: 1. ‘An Inquiry into the Beauties of Painting,’ London, 1760, 8vo; 4th edit. 1777; Italian translation by Maria Quarin Stampalia, Venice, 1791, 8vo. 2. ‘Remarks on the Beauties of Poetry,’ London, 1762, 8vo; new edit. Dublin, 1764, 12mo. 3. ‘Observations on the Correspondence between Poetry and Music,’ London, 1769, 8vo; German translation by J. J. Eochenburg, Leipzig, 1771, 8vo. 4. ‘Literary Amusements in Verse and Prose,’ London, 1787, 8vo. 5. ‘Some Reasons for thinking the Greek Language was borrowed from the Chinese: in Notes on the “Grammatica Sinica” of Mons. Fourmont,’ London, 1787, 8vo. These five works were republished in one volume in 1802 by Thomas Winstanley [q. v.] under the title of ‘Miscellanies,’ London, 4to. Webb also edited ‘Selections from “Les Recherches Philosophiques sur les Américains” of Mr. Pauw,’ Bath, 1789, 8vo; new edit. with additions, Rochdale, 1806, 8vo.
[Gent. Mag. 1798, ii. 725, 807; Burke's Landed Gentry, 1898, Ireland; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715–1886; Allibone's Dict. of Engl. Lit.; Reuss's Reg. of Living Authors, 1770–90, 1790–1803; Ann. Reg. 1760 ii. 249, 1762 ii. 247, 1766 ii. 225.]