Colby, William Edward, 1875-1964

Biographical Sketch

William Edward Colby was born in Benicia, California, in 1875. His mother, Caroline Amelia (Smith) Colby, had been a teacher in the Young Ladies Seminary, and his father, Gilbert Winslow Colby, was a `49er, merchant, state assemblyman and state senator. After attending public schools in Benicia and Berkeley, Colby was graduated from the Hastings College of Law in 1898. He began his practice in San Francisco and soon specialized in mining law. From 1911 to 1937 he taught mining and water law at the University of California. He wrote numerous articles on the subject, compiling a valuable library as well.

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