WILBERFORCE, WILLIAM, was h. at Hull, Aug. 24, 1759. • His father was a wealthy merchant, descended from an old family, proprietors of Wilberfoss, in the e. riding of York. Wilberforce, at the age of 9, on his father's death, was sent to school at Wimble don, where, under the care of a pious aunt, he ran the risk of becoming a Methodist. But his mother did not approve of a serious education, mid removed him to a Yorkshire school, where the religious impressions he had received were soon dissipated by a life of gayety. His constitution was delicate, but he was quick and spirited, and fond of society, in which his lively conversation and musical talent made him a great favorite. While at school, lie addressed a letter to a York paper in condemnation of the odious traffic in human flesh," a subject he seems never afterward to have lost sight of. At 17 be entered St. John's college, Cambridge, and iu due time he passed his examinations with credit. He came, on attaining his majority, into possession of a large fortune, and determined to enter parliament. In 1780 he was returned for Hull. He had known Mr. Pitt when at Cambridge, and in London they became inseparable friends. Wilberforce, in parliament, however, remained independent of patty. The elevation of Mr. Pitt to the premiership gave him an opportunity of taking office, but he declined to do so. He rendered, however, efficient service to his friend. In Mar., 17S4, on the eve of a disso-, lntlion, he spoke at a county meeting in York, called to vote an address against the coali tion ministry; and such was the effect of Ms eloquence, that when he had concluded, a resolution had been come to by the freeholders that he should he asked to stand for the countv, lie did so; and in spite of opposition from the great wing fatuities, he was returned without a contest. Wilberforce's success in the leading court' set an exampleto other constituencies, which was of very great advantage to the Pitt ministry. Iu the same year, Wilberforce made a tour on the continent with some ladies of his Lindy and Is„ac 'Milner, the dean of of Carlisle, during which the serious impressions of his youth. sewn to have been revived. In 1787 he in a great measure eschewed gayety, and founded an association for the discouragement of vice; and in the following year, while in very bad health, he entered on his great struggle for the abolition of the slave-trade, to which he thenceforward dedicated his whole time. He was powerfully supported by the
Quakers, and Thomas Clarkson, who kept alive interest in the subject beyond the walls of the house of commons. In 1789 he'first proposed the abolition of the slave trade in the house of commons, and met, as he expected, with powerful opposition. In 1604 his bill was first carried through the commons; it was thrown out in the lords; and in the following year it was again lost in the commons. In 1806, however, a resolution was moved by Mr. Fox, pledging the commons to a total abolition of the slave-trade in the following session. It was adopted by the lords. Just before the discussion Legan in Jan., 1804, a work had been published by Wilberforce against the slave-trade, which had a marked influence on public opinion and the subsequent debates. The bill was passed by the lords. In the commons it was carried by an enthusiastic majority. Sir Samuel Romilly,who supported the measure, compared the feelings of Napoleon, then at the height of his glory, with those of the English philanthropist, "who would that day lay his head upon his pillow, and remember that the slave-trade was no mom;" and the house burst into applause, and "Wilberforce with enthusiastic cheers. Wil berforce now sought to secure the abolition Of the slave-trade abroad. He at the same time entered on an agitation for the total abolition of slavery itself. Declining health, however, compelled him in 1825 to retire from parliament, in which, since 1812, lie had sat for the borough of Bramber. The movement against slavery was then intrusted to sir T. Fowell Buxton. Three days before Wilberforee's death, news was brought him that the abolition bill had passed a second reading. and he thanked God he had lived to see his countrymen spend 20 millions sterling in such a cause. He died July 29, 1833, and was buried as a national benefactor in Westminster abbey. In 1797 Wilberforce married the daughter of Mr. J. Spooner, the banker of Birmingham, by whom he had a large family. Wilberforce is the author of a Practical View of Christianity, which, on its publication in 1797, met with great suceess.—See the Life of Wilbmforce, by his sons. Ills third son, Samuel (born 1805, died 1873), because bishop of Oxford in 1845. and bishop of Winchester in 1869. He distinguished himself in parliament by his eloquence, end was author of a History of the Episcopal Church in America, Agatltos, and The Rocky Island, allegories, sermons, etc.