Bernard Brockenbrough Semmes was a Virginia lawyer and the mayor of Newport News, Virginia from September 1, 1912 to September 1, 1916. Biography Semmes was born in Lexington, Virginia on September 22, 1864. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and obtained a law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. He served one term as mayor of Newport News, Virginia, before dying in Newport News in 1917. References 1864 births 1917 deaths Mayors of Newport News, Virginia Brockenbrough family of Virginia Virginia lawyers People from Lexington, Virginia Virginia Military Institute alumni Washington and Lee University School of Law alumni 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American lawyers