William Wilberforce

**William Wilberforce** (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) na he be a British politician, philanthropist, den a leader of de movement make dem abolish de Atlantic slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, na he begin ein political career insyd 1780, wey na he cam be an independent Member of Parliament (MP) give Yorkshire (1784–1812). Insyd 1785, na he undergo a conversion experience wey he cam turn an Evangelical Anglican, wich na e result insyd major changes to ein lifestyle den a lifelong concern for reform.

Insyd 1787, na Wilberforce cam into contact plus Thomas Clarkson den a group of activists against de transatlantic slave trade, wey dey include Granville Sharp, Hannah More den Charles Middleton. Na dem persuade Wilberforce make he take on de cause of abolition, wey he cam be a leading English abolitionist. Na he head de parliamentary campaign against de British slave trade for 20 years til de passage of the Slave Trade Act 1807.

Na dem convince Wilberforce of de importance of religion, morality den education. Na he be involved insyd causes den campaigns such as de Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work insyd India, de creation of a free colony insyd Sierra Leone, de foundation of de Church Mission Society den de Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Na ein underlying conservatism lead am make he support politically den socially repressive legislation, wey he result insyd criticism na he dey ignore injustices for home while he dey campaign give de enslaved abroad.

Na Wilberforce play a central role insyd de campaign for de complete abolition of slavery wey na he continue ein involvement after 1826, wen na he resign from Parliament secof health issues. Na dat campaign lead to de Slavery Abolition Act 1833, wich na dem abolish slavery insyd chaw of de British Empire. Na Wilberforce die just three days after he hear say na de passage of de act thru Parliament be assured. Na dem bury am insyd Westminster Abbey, close to ein paddie William Pitt the Younger.

## Early life den education
Na dem born Wilberforce insyd Hull, insyd Yorkshire, England, on 24 August 1759. Na he be de only son of Robert Wilberforce (1728–1768), a wealthy merchant, den ein wifey, Elizabeth Bird (1730–1798). Na ein grandpoppie, William (1690–1774), make de family fortune insyd de maritime trade plus Baltic countries. Na dem twice elect am mayor of Hull.

## Ein life matter
Insyd ein youth, na William Wilberforce show little interest insyd women, buh na wen he dey insyd ein late thirties ein paddie Thomas Babington recommend 25-year-old Barbara Ann Spooner (1771–1847) as a potential bride. Na Wilberforce meet am two days later on 15 April 1797, wey na immediately smit; dey follow an eight-day whirlwind romance, he propose. Despite de urgings of paddies make he slow down, de couple marry at de Church of St Swithin insyd Bath, Somerset, on 30 May 1797. Na dem devote to each oda, wey na Barbara be very attentive den supportive to Wilberforce insyd ein increasing ill health, though na she show little interest insyd ein political activities. Na dem get six kiddies in fewer dan ten years: William (born 1798), Barbara (born 1799), Elizabeth (born 1801), Robert (born 1802), Samuel (born 1805) den Henry (born 1807). Na Wilberforce be an indulgent den adoring poppie wey he revel insyd ein time at home wey na he play plus ein kiddies.
## Insyd media
* *Amazing Grace*, a film about Wilberforce den de struggle against de slave trade, na dem release am insyd 2007 make e coincide plus de 200th anniversary of Parliament ein anti-slave trade legislation.
* Insyd 2007, na *Focus on the Family* produce an audio drama dem call *Grace Victorious: The Story of William Wilberforce*, wey dey star Chris Larkin as Wilberforce.

## Works
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## Works dem cite
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*    Volume 3  

## References


## External links

*  at Project Gutenberg
* Works by or about William Wilberforce at the Internet Archive
* Works by William Wilberforce at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks) 
* Wilberforce, BBC Radio 4 *In Our Time* with Melvyn Bragg (22 February 2007)
* The Wilberforce Diaries Project