Sidney Webb: to the origins of the concept of the welfare state

The purpose of the article is to review the biography and scientific heritage of the lawyer, scientist, state leader S. Webb. The stages of formation of S. Webb's worldview are analyzed. Methods: the research is based on historical and comparative legal methods. Results: it is argued that it is largely thanks to this scientist and politician that Great Britain adapted continental socialism in its more liberal and parliamentary version. The author's analysis of the individual researches of S. Webb is given, in which the contours of the future concept of the welfare state are largely outlined. The conclusion is made that S. Webb can be considered one of the ideologists of the modern model of the welfare state.