Benjamin Watkins Leigh, an American lawyer, born in Chesterfield co., Va., June 18, 1781, died Feb. 2, 1849. He studied at William and Mary college, and when he became of age was admitted to the bar. He practised successfully in Petersburg, Va., and was soon elected to the legislature from Dinwiddie co., presenting in that body a series of resolutions asserting the right of the legislature to instruct the United States senators from Virginia. In 1813 he removed to Richmond, where he at once took a high place at the bar. He was one of the commissioners appointed to revise the statutes of Virginia, and reported the arguments and decisions in the court of appeals. In 1822 he was sent as commissioner to Kentucky, and, in concert with Mr. Clay on the part of that state, adjusted an agreement concerning the "occupying claimants law," which threatened to annul the Virginia titles to lands in Kentucky. He was a member of the convention of 1829-'30, in which he held a prominent position, and in 1835 was elected to the United States senate, where he took an active part in debate; but finding that his views were not those of the majority of his constituents, he resigned in 1837, and passed the remainder of his life in retirement.