Webb Franklin

Not to be confused with Franklin Webb.

William Webster Franklin (born December 13, 1941) is an American lawyer, politician, and jurist from Mississippi. As a Republican, he served in the United States House of Representatives representing Mississippi's 2nd congressional district from 1983 to 1987.

Webb Franklin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	David R. Bowen
Succeeded by	Mike Espy
Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of Mississippi
In office 1978–1982
Personal details
Born	William Webster Franklin (1941-12-13) December 13, 1941 (age 83) Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	Mississippi State University (BA) University of Mississippi (JD, LLB)
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1963–1970
Rank	Major
Unit	J.A.G. Corps

Biography

Born in Greenwood in Leflore County on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta, Franklin graduated from Greenwood High School. In 1963, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi State University at Starkville. In 1966, he received his LL.B. and Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law at Oxford and was admitted to the bar.

Military legal career

He attended The JAG School at the University of Virginia and entered U.S. Army JAG Corps. From 1963 to 1970, he was a major in the United States Army. In 1966, he was a member of the Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Law practice and judicial career

Franklin practiced law in Greenwood from 1970 to 1972, when he became an assistant district attorney for the state Fourth Circuit District Court.

In 1978, he was elected circuit judge for the Fourth District and remained in that office until 1982.

Congress

In 1983, he began his first of two terms in Congress. He was defeated in 1986 in his bid for a third term by African-American Democrat Mike Espy.

Later career

Upon leaving the U.S. House, Franklin returned to Greenwood to practice law.

References

• United States Congress. "Webb Franklin (id: F000347)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by David R. Bowen	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 2nd congressional district 1983–1987	Succeeded by Mike Espy
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Brad Ellsworth as Former US Representative	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative	Succeeded by Ronnie Shows as Former US Representative