WILBERFORCE PB

Born in Hull in 1759, William Wilberforce was destined to become one of Britain's most influential statesmen, having been influenced himself by men like Whitefield, Wesley and, most of all, John Newton. Wilberforce introduced his first anti-slave trade motion in the House of Commons in 1788 with a speech that lasted three-and-a-half-hours, appealing to the dictates of conscience, the principles of justice and the law of God. The motion was defeated - but Wilberforce continued his campaign until the slave trade was abolished and went on to fight against slavery itself right up to his death. Just as he died on July 29, 1833, Wilberforce was informed that Parliament had finally agreed to the emancipation of slaves. His fight is faithfully recorded here as one of the most courageous and vital political battles in history.