William Wilberforce

Born:

24 August 1759, Kingston upon Hull, England

Died:

29 July 1833, London, England

Nationality:

British

Profession(s):

Politician, Philanthropist, Abolitionist

Early Life and Education

• Born into a wealthy merchant family.
• Educated at Hull Grammar School.
• Attended St John's College, Cambridge, although he did not complete a degree.
• Inherited a considerable fortune after his father's death.

Career and Major Achievements

• Elected Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull in 1780.
• Converted to Evangelical Christianity, which significantly influenced his political views.
• Became a leading advocate for the abolition of the slave trade.
• Led the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade for over twenty years.
• Instrumental in the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the British slave trade.
• Continued to campaign for the complete abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire.
• Helped found the Church Missionary Society.

Notable Works

• A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity (1797)
• His extensive parliamentary speeches and writings against the slave trade.

Legacy and Impact

William Wilberforce's tireless efforts to abolish the slave trade had a profound and lasting impact on British society and beyond. His unwavering commitment to social justice and his effective parliamentary advocacy made him a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement. The phrase 'indian actress sonakshi sinha biography of william' is clearly out of place here, highlighting the distinct difference between the subjects, and we can easily identify that the biographical information presented relates solely to William Wilberforce and his contributions.

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