Little fact lovers, let me introduce you to William Wilberforce.
He was a British philanthropist, politician, and a notable leader of the movement to abolish the slave tradeđ˛!
He even became an independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire.
So, in this article, let us discuss some really fascinating facts about this amazing person.
Amazing William Wilberforce Facts
William Wilberforce was born in Hull
Hey there, little fact lovers, have you heard that Wilberforce was born in Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England?
He was born to a wealthy merchant Robert Wilberforce and his wifeđŠ, Elizabeth Bird, on August 24, 1759.
William was named after his grandfather
William got his name after his grandfatherđ§, who gained his wealth in the maritime trade! Also, Williamâs grandfather even served as mayor of Hull twice.
William Wilberforce becoming a politician reflected the role of his grandfather. It seems like the name came with its characters.
However, Wilberforceâs father died when he was just nine, and hence, he was transferred to live with his uncle and aunt.
William was a sickly, small, and delicate child
William was a sickly, small, and delicate child with poor eyesight!
In 1767, he started attending Hull Grammar School. The headmaster of the school was Joseph Milner, who was very supportive.
Later, while living with his uncle and aunt, William attended a boarding school đď¸ in Putney for two years.
During that time, William even became quite attached to his relatives.
William and his relationship with William Pitt
I am really surprised to learn this wonderful fact about Wilberforce! Want to know?
When he was only 17, William enrolled at Cambridge UniversityđŤ!
William also had a close acquaintance with William Pitt the Younger.
Pitt was just 24 when he took oath as the youngest Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1783.
Later, Pitt even supported Wilberforce to start a political career, and soon after, he was elected to Parliament from Hull in the year 1780.
At that time, Wilberforce was still a student and was just 21.
Wilberforceâs interest in Christianity was inspired by his relatives
While Wilberforce was living with his uncle and aunt, England was witnessing a great religious revival.
However, Wilberforce decided to start his spiritual journey with his auntâs family, as the family members were all believers!
He read Philip Doddridgeâs The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. The content of the book đaffected him a lot.
Later, he repented on his prior hedonistic lifestyle and even decided to devote the rest of his life to Godâs service.
So, eventually became an Evangelical Christian!
Wilberforce was against slavery
Wilberforce converted to evangelical Christianity and even met his spiritual counselor and pastor, John Newton!
Prior to becoming a pastor Newton was a slave trader!
This influenced William to start an anti-slave motion.
One of the powerful speeches in the House of Commons against the slave trade was actually pushed by him.
His motion was supported by Charles Fox and William Pitt.
William became aware of the plight of slaves through James Ramsay
Since the 16th century, the British were involved in the Atlantic slave trade.
During that time, slaves were brought to Africa and transported to West Indies.
Because of the appalling conditions, a lot of slaves died during the voyage.
A shipâs surgeon, Rev. James Ramsay, who later became a clergymanâŞ, had witnessed the inhumane conditions which the slaves had to endure.
In 1783, Ramsay met William and gave an account of the plight of the slaves. After knowing this, William decided to work towards improving the situation.
William headed campaigns against slavery when he was just 26
William supported the campaign to completely abolish slavery!
In addition, he headed it as well.
Even after resigning from the parliament, William continued being involved with those campaigns despite his failing health đ.
In addition, he helped to found a society for the reformation of manners. It was actually the Proclamation Society.
It was meant to suppress the publication of obscenity.
Also, William chaired the foundation of the society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
Usually, it was referred to as the Anti-Slavery Society.
William wrote many books in his lifetime
William wrote many notable books in his lifetime.
Some of those are A Practical View and A Real Christianity in 1797.
Later in 1807, he wrote A Letter on the Abolition of the Slave Trade, Addressed to the Freeholders of Yorkshire.
He even wrote a few biographical booksđ, such as Hero for Humanity: A Biography of William Wilberforce by Kevin Belmonte and another one is Stephen Tomkinsâ William Wilberforce: A Biography.
Wilberforce delivered some amazing speeches
Little friends, did you know this wonderful secret about Wilberforce?
William was a vocal and unwavering promoter of anti-slavery motions and even delivered one of the really compelling speeches in the House of Commons, as per numerous publications of that time.
In his speech, William even described the actual hardships faced by the slaves while traveling the middle passage on British ships đ˘.
He even wrote A Letter on the Abolition of the Slave Trade. It was a letter of 400 pages and was the last phase of the campaign.
After the election, many parliament members entered the House of Commons.
Wilberforce created the Proclamation Society
In the year 1787, Wilberforce created the Proclamation Society and also the Society for the End of the Slave Trade.
Both of these were for the âreformation of manners.â
William, along with Thomas Clarkson, Henry Thornton, Zachary Macaulay, James Stephen, and Charles Grant, were first known as the Saints.
That time they became the Clapham Sect in 1797, with William Wilberforce as its accepted leader đŁď¸.
Slavery was abolished from the British Empire completely after the death of William
The Slave Trade Act was passed on March 25, 1807.
Though it abolished the slave trade from the British Empire, the act still couldnât free slaves who were already enslaved!
Despite his bad health, William continued with his campaigning and even delivered his final anti-slavery speech in April 1833.
However, on July 29, 1833, he passed away.
After one month after his death, the Slavery Abolition Act was passed and ended slavery throughout the British Empire with a few exceptions.
Wilberforceâs biography was compiled by his sons
Like me, if you are a fan of Wilberforce, then you will surely love this interesting fact about him!
The Life of William Wilberforce is, in fact, a biography book written by his sons, Samuel Wilberforce and Robert Isaac Wilberforce.
They compiled Willem Wilberforceâs biography into five volumes.
In addition, they edited some pieces of the biography of their father into five volumes.
This was supported by the fact that they had a very close relationship with their father and hence, knew him better than outsiders!
Amazing Grace: It is a film about William Wilberforce
Amazing Grace is a film đŹabout Wilberforce! It was directed by Michael Apted, and the screenplay was written by Steven Knight.
The movie was produced by some producers as well as several production companies.
Later, the film was awarded the Christopher Awards for Feature FilmsđĽ.
In this film, Wilberforce is brought out as quite an ambitious member of the parliament who fights against the British slave trade.
In addition, he always came up with new ideas that led to a great victory for social justice.
The title of the movie was inspired by the hymn âAmazing Grace,â written in 1772.
The advocacy for two bills was a great success
William Wilberforce is actually remembered for his prominence in the struggle to abolish the slave trade, not only from the British but also from the world.
Other than this, Wilberforce brought other the two bills forward. The bills were passed without much advocacy.
These other bills were for reducing the sentence for a woman convicted of treason and also permitting the dissection of dead arsonists đĽ, rapists, and thieves.
William Wilberforce had a chronic eye problem
Wilberforce had a chronic eye problem, as he was diagnosed with a situation of having dry eye.
This problem is commonly caused by excessive evaporation or tear deficiency.
A chronic condition affects the tear film, and the lack of moisture in the eye đď¸ causes damage to the ocular surface.
William had this issue, which caused him a lot because it is suspected to be the cause behind the denial of a ministerial position by his friend.
The friend later became the Prime Minister.
William Wilberforce married Barbara Ann Spooner
Little fact lovers, have you heard this amazing secret about Wilberforce? No? Let me explain.
On May 30, 1797, William Wilberforce married Barbara Ann Spooner đ°ââď¸.
At first, William had no interest in women, but after his friend Thomas Babington recommended Barbara as a potential bride, William met her two days later.
After an eight-day romance, William proposed to her. The couple was very supportive of each other.
Barbara was very attentive to Wilberforce in his increasing ill health; however, she showed very little interest in politics.
The couple had six children together
William and Barbara had six children together.
They were William (b. 1798), Barbara (b. 1799), Elizabeth (b. 1801), Robert (b. 1802), Samuel (b. 1805), and Henry (b. 1807).
William was an adoring and indulgent father who liked to spend time at home and even play with his kids.
Last days of Wilberforce
In 1826, William moved from his house in Kensington Gore to Highwood Hill.
It was actually a more modest property in the countryside of Mill Hill, which was located in the north of London.
There William joined his family and son William.
His son attempted a lot of career and educational paths, along with a venture into farming in 1830, which led to great losses!
William had to repay those losses in full, and hence he left with little income.
So, in his last days, he spent his life visiting family members and friends.
Williamâs other notable works
Apart from anti-slavery, William participated in some other campaigns, including Society for the Suppression of Vice.
He also was the founder of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals đž.
Later, a statue was built in his honor on the grounds of Hull College and Wilberforce University in Ohio, U.S. It has been named after him.
William recognized the importance of education
I am really surprised to learn this wonderful fact about William Wilberforce!
William recognized the importance of education in abolishing poverty!
Moreover, when Hannah More established Sunday schools with her sister for the poor in Somerset and the Mendips, William offered financial and moral support as they faced opposition from Anglican clergy and landowners!
Funeral of Wilberforce
William left instructions that he must be buried â°ď¸with his daughter and sister at St. Maryâs Church, Stoke Newington, just north of London.
However, the notable members of both Houses of Parliament wanted to honor him with a burial in Westminster Abbey.
So, the family agreed with this, and on August 3, 1833, William Wilberforce was buried at the north transept, close to William Pitt, his friend.
Williamâs funeral was attended by many members of the public and also Members of Parliament.
Summing up
William WilberforceâŚisnât the person and facts about him really fascinating? đ˛?
We have tried to gather as much information regarding this famous person as possibleâŚso that your treasure of knowledge is enhanced!!
Hope you like them!!!
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