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)

9781108025096, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 January 2011

428 pages, 1 b/w illus. 1 table
21.6 x 2.4 x 14 cm, 0.54 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 5 covers the period from 1818 until Wilberforce's death.

33. October 1818 to January 1820. Hayti
34. January 1820 to January 1822. Death of the king
35. January 1822 to July 1823. Winter at Marden Park
36. July 1823 to February 1825. Summer excursion
37. March 1825 to October 1827. Retires from London
38. October 1827 to April 1832. Settlement at Highwood
39. April 1832 to August 1833. Retirement into Kent and the Isle of Wight
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]