William Wilberforce (1759-1833)
Philanthropist and MP

Summary

• Born 24 August 1759 in Hull. His father was a merchant descended from the ancient Yorkshire family of Wilberfoss.
• Attended grammar school in Hull.
• 1768 his father died and he moved to school in Wimbledon looked after by his uncle.
• His mother moved him back to Pocklington because of his aunt’s Methodist views.
• 1776 St. John’s College, Cambridge, being only seventeen years of age.
• 1784 Became MP for York.
• 1787 First began to campaign again slavery in Parliament
• 1781 Graduated and almost immediately elected MP for Hull.
• c1784 Began to devote himself to the reformation of manners, suppression of vice and the slave trade.
• 1807 Abolition Bill passed making the slave trade illegal (though slavery still remained)
• 1812 Became MP for Bamber.
• 1824 Retired from Parliament.
• 1833 Emancipation Act passed thereby abolishing slavery in the British colonies
• 29 July 1833 died at Cadogan Place, London.

Biography of Wilberforce by Michael Henell
(Great Churchmen No 17 - Church Book Room Press)

• Introduction
• Wilberforce - The Man
• Early Years and Conversion
• The Slave Trade Campaign
• The Clapham Sect
• Social and Educational Reform

Articles

• William Wilberforce - His Impact on Nineteenth-Century Society Jonathan Bayes (Churchman 108/2 - 1994)