Born into a merchant’s family, educated at St John’s College, Cambridge, William Wilberforce was an independently wealthy gentleman, a British politician, a philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

William Wilberforce at age 21 became an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Yorkshire (1784–1812), he became a close friend and supporter of William Pitt the Younger, Prime Minister 1884-1801, 1804-1806.

The same year he was elected, he was 'born again', becoming an Evangelical Anglican, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and giving him a lifelong concern for reform. He considered leaving public life and seeking ordination, religious enthusiasm was not popular. He saught advice from John Newton, the evangelical who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace” and was persuaded by Newton and others to continue his work in parliament. His abilities as a speaker made parliament a very suitable setting for him to pursue his aims.

He published 'Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians', establishing his position as a leading evangelical. In 1797 he had moved to Clapham, becoming a member of the influential Clapham Sect. Their greatest concern was the evils of Slavery. The Atlantic slave trade earned many English owners a fortune in the plantations of the Carribean and America. African slaves survived the harsh conditions longer than the Jacobite Highlanders and bondsmen. On overcrowded slave ships, they were treated worse than cattle, hundreds died in the middle passage. On arrival broken in spirit they had no hope of earning their freedom. Wilberforce, despite failing health and strength, fought for an end to this, he attacked slavery and the slave trade vigorously. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for 20 years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

Convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, he helped begin the Church Mission Society (CMS), the Bible Society and he was the founder of the RSPCA.

Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery and continued his involvement even after resigning from parliament in 1825 due to ill health. The Slavery Abolition Act was passed in 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire. Wilberforce died just 3 days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. Recognised as a strong influence for good in the nation he was buried in Westminster Abbey.

An excellent movie was made of Wilberforce life and fight against Slavery it is called "Amazing Grace".

BORN: 24 August 1759, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

DIED: 29 July 1833, Belgravia, London, England