Who was William wilberforce and what is he best remembered for?

Answer 1

William Wilberforce was largely responsible for the abolition of slavery in England.

Wilberforce was born on 24 August 1759 in Hull, Britain. While studying at Cambridge University, he befriended England's future prime minister, William Pitt the Younger. In 1780, Wilberforce became member of parliament for Hull, later representing Yorkshire. During his twenties, Wilberforce became a Christian, and his motivation for social reforms was largely a by-product of his active and practical Christianity. He was strongly influenced by former slave-trader John Newton, then the leading evangelical Anglican clergyman of the day and Rector of St Mary Woolnoth in the City of London.

In 1787, Wilberforce became leader of the parliamentary campaign of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Between 1789 and 1806, he attempted to pass numerous parliamentary bills against the slave trade, but was unsuccessful each time, as many of the members of parliament stood to profit from their own indirect involvement in the trade.

In 1806, a change of tactics was suggested by maritime lawyer James Stephen. This involved introducing a bill to ban British subjects from aiding or participating in the slave trade to the French colonies, It was a smart move, as the majority of the ships were flying American flags, though manned by British crews and sailing out of Liverpool. The Foreign Slave Trade Act was quickly passed and the tactic proved successful. The new legislation effectively prohibited two-thirds of the British slave trade. In the long run, many MPs who had benefited from the slave trade lost their financial support, and ultimately their position in parliament. This opened the way for a further attempt to pass an Abolition bill.

Further support from Abolitionists enabled the final passing of an Abolition Bill on 23 February 1807. As tributes were made to Wilberforce, who had laboured for the cause during the preceding twenty years, the bill was carried by 283 votes to 16. The Slave Trade Act received the royal assent on 25 March 1807. This Act did not free those who were already slaves; it was not until 1833 that an act was passed giving freedom to all slaves in the British empire.

Despite ill health, Wilberforce continued to campaign for social reform, including the improvement of factory conditions in Britain. He was instrumental in the development of the Society for the Suppression of Vice in 1802. He also worked to develop the Association for the Better Observance of Sunday, the aim of which was to provide all children with regular education in reading, personal hygiene and religion. He was closely involved with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was also instrumental in encouraging Christian missionaries to go to India. Wilberforce died on 29 July 1833, shortly after the act to free slaves in the British empire passed through the House of Commons. He was buried near his friend, former Prime Minister William Pitt, in Westminster Abbey.

Answer 2

William Wilberforce was a British politician.

Answer 3

He was a man who helped stop slavery, and that is what he is most remembered for.