his paternal grandparents were james watson webb, the united states ambassador to brazil during abraham lincoln's administration, and laura virginia cram. his paternal uncles included h. walter webb, a noteworthy railway executives, and alexander stewart webb, a noted civil war general. his maternal grandparents were william henry vanderbilt and maria (née kissam) vanderbilt. his maternal aunts and uncles included cornelius vanderbilt ii (1843–1899), margaret louisa vanderbilt shepard (1843–1924), william kissam vanderbilt (1849–1920), frederick william vanderbilt (1856–1938), florence adele vanderbilt twombly (1854–1952), emily thorn vanderbilt (1852–1946) and george washington vanderbilt ii (1862–1914).