William Wilberforce

British Politician, Abolitionist and Social Reformer

As a Cambridge University student, Wilberforce did not apply himself to his studies as he had inherited sufficient money to become financially independent.  Instead, he enjoyed the social life of drinking, gambling, and playing cards. 

With a talent for eloquence, Wilberforce, along with his friend, William Pitt, entered politics and was elected an independent Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull.  Later, aged only 24, he became MP for the county of Yorkshire.

It was after this time that prompted by first reading a devotional book and then the New Testament, Wilberforce underwent an evangelical conversion to Christianity and with the advice of Pitt, and John Newton, a leading Anglican clergyman of the day, decided to remain in politics.  Thereafter, his political views were informed by his faith and by his desire to promote Christian ethics in private and public life.

Inspired by his new faith, Wilberforce became increasingly interested in humanitarian reform, especially in relation to the abolition of the slave trade.  He and other Evangelicals were horrified by what they perceived was a depraved and unchristian trade, and the greed and avarice of the owners and traders.  Wilberforce sensed a call from God and wrote in his journal,

'God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the Suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners (moral values).'

The abolition of the slave trade was no easy task.  In fact, it was a very dangerous one as Wilberforce faced slander and assassination attempts.  Various Bills were presented to Parliament which failed but only caused to strengthen Wilberforce's resolve.  Eventually, the tide began to turn and in 1807, Britain outlawed trading in slaves.  Following Wilberforce's lobbying efforts, other governments of other nations followed suit. 

The task of freeing existing slaves, however, absorbed all his energies for the next 25 years and along with the vital help of Thomas Clarkson, particularly in research and public mobilisation, was finally achieved just prior to Wilberforce's death in 1833.

To coincide the 200th anniversary of the date on which Parliament voted to ban the transport of slaves by British subjects, the film, Amazing Grace, was released.