William wilberforce biography summary rubric

English politician and abolitionist (1759–1833)

For his eldest son, a lawyer and Member of Parliament, see William Wilberforce (1798–1879).

William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, and became an independentMember of Parliament (MP) for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an Evangelical Anglican, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform.

In 1787, Wilberforce came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of activists against the slave trade, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he became a leading English abolitionist.

He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade fo