Short william wilberforce biography london

William Wilberforce ( 24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was one of Britain’s great social reformers involved in campaigns against slavery, the promotion of education, Christianity, strict morality and animal welfare.

Wilberforce saw his life’s mission to end slavery and is remembered for his active participation in getting Parliament to outlaw the slave trade.

Short william wilberforce biography london

He died in 1833, just three days after Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which effectively banned slavery in the British Empire.

“God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners (morality).”

– William Wilberforce

Early Life William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was born in Hull, to a wealthy family.

At a young age, he moved to London where he lived with some nonconformist relatives. These puritan ideals appealed to the young William, and he became closely attached to his London relatives. However, at the age of 12, his mother