William Wilberforce

Date of Birth: August 24, 1759

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: July 29, 1833

Biography

William Wilberforce was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. Born into a wealthy family in Hull, Yorkshire, he received an excellent education at St John’s College, Cambridge. Wilberforce’s career as a politician began in 1780 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull. He later represented Yorkshire and then Bramber. Wilberforce’s life took a transformative turn after his conversion to evangelical Christianity in 1785, which deepened his commitment to social reform. He became a key member of the Clapham Sect, a group of social reformers who were instrumental in various humanitarian causes. His greatest achievement was his relentless campaign against the transatlantic slave trade. After years of persistent advocacy, his efforts culminated in the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire. Wilberforce continued to fight for the abolition of slavery itself, and although he retired from public life in 1825 due to ill health, he lived to see the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, which began the process of emancipating all enslaved people in the British Empire. He passed away just three days after hearing that the act would be enacted.

5 Interesting Facts about William Wilberforce

1. William Wilberforce was a close friend of Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, with whom he entered Parliament.

2. He was a founding member of the Church Missionary Society and supported the establishment of Christian missions in India.

3. Wilberforce was known for his compelling oratory skills, which he used effectively to advocate for social reforms.

4. He suffered from poor health throughout his life, which often left him bedridden for long periods.

5. Aside from his work on slavery, Wilberforce was also involved in animal welfare, helping to establish the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Wilberforce

1. “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”

2. “Great indeed are our opportunities; great also is our responsibility.”

3. “Of all things, guard against neglecting God in the secret place of prayer.”

4. “Surely the principles of Christianity lead to action as well as meditation.”

5. “The objects of the present life fill the human eye with a false magnification because of their immediacy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Estimated at approximately £600,000 during his lifetime (equivalent to several million pounds today, adjusted for inflation).

Children

William Wilberforce had six children with his wife Barbara Ann Spooner: 1. William Wilberforce the Younger (1798–1879) – A clergyman and author. 2. Robert Isaac Wilberforce (1802–1857) – A clergyman and writer. 3. Samuel Wilberforce (1805–1873) – Became the Bishop of Oxford and later the Bishop of Winchester. 4. Henry William Wilberforce (1807–1873) – Converted to Roman Catholicism and became a priest. 5. Elizabeth Wilberforce (1801–1832) – Died young. 6. James Stephen Wilberforce (1809–1827) – Died young.