Born in Prince Edward County, Virginia. Graduate of Hampden Sydney College in 1792 and the College of William and Mary in 1792. In his later years he could claim to be the oldest living graduate of both institutions. Bibb married twice with 17 children. Admitted to the bar in Virginia in 1798. Practiced law in Kentucky; appointed to the court of appeals in 1808; and to chief judge in 1809.

Elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives and served 1810 to 1817. Elected to the United States Senate and served March 4, 1811, to August 23, 1814, and again 1829 to 1835. He served as chancellor of the Louisiana Court of Chancery 1835 to 1844.

Appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Tyler and served July 4, 1844, to March 4, 1845. He disagreed with Jackson over the Bank of the United States. He died in Georgetown, D.C.

bio: *ApCAB; BDC; BDEB; DAB; *Drake; *NCAB 6; *WWWA-H (*give DOB as 1772) (BDC & WWWA-H give middle name as Motier)