The Life of William Wilberforce

This five-volume biography of abolitionist William Wilberforce, drawn from his own writings, was published in 1838 by his sons.

Robert Isaac Wilberforce (Edited by), Samuel Wilberforce (Edited by), William Wilberforce (Author)

9781108025089, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 January 2011

412 pages, 1 b/w illus. 2 tables
21.6 x 2.3 x 14 cm, 0.52 kg

William Wilberforce (1759–1833) was a politician, philanthropist and evangelical Christian, now best known for his work to end the slave trade. Elected to Parliament in 1780, he campaigned unsuccessfully for penal and electoral reform. In 1787, at the encouragement of his friend William Pitt, he took up the cause of abolition at Westminster and lobbied influential people tirelessly, but humanitarian and ethical arguments were slow to overcome the economic interests of those who had made fortunes from the slave trade or the use of slave labour. It was not until 1807 that the Abolition Bill was finally passed. Wilberforce continued his work for emancipation, and also campaigned for religious liberty. This biography, based on his own writings, was published by two of his sons in 1838, but sheds more light on religious than on political aspects of his life. Volume 4 covers the period from 1812 to 1818.

26. January 1812 to July 1812. New-year's day
27. July 1812 to February 1813. Summer at Sandgate
28. February 1813 to December 1813. Session opens
29. December 1813 to December 1814. Successes of the Allies
30. January 1815 to January 1816. Christmas at Barham Court
31. January 1816 to July 1817. West Indian opposition to Registry Bill
32. July 1817 to October 1818. Recess.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]