Tribute to William Wilberforce

• 1770s-1780s - Advocated for prison reform and humane treatment of prisoners, inspired by John Howard.


• 1780 - Elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston upon Hull.


• 1787 - Became an active leader in the movement to abolish the slave trade, encouraged by abolitionist Thomas Clarkson.


• 1789 - Delivered his first major abolition speech in the House of Commons.


• 1790s - Involved in the establishment of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, promoting education and vocational training.


• 1807 - Successfully led the campaign that resulted in the passing of the Slave Trade Act, abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.


• 1807 - Instrumental in founding the National Society for Promoting Religious Education, aimed at providing education for the poor in the Church of England.


• 1819 - Involved in supporting the Penitentiary Act to improve conditions in prisons and emphasize rehabilitation.


• 1823 - Co-founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (later the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, RSPCA).


• 1830 - Supported the establishment of the London Infirmary, providing affordable healthcare to the poor.


• 1833 - Saw the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act, which initiated the process of emancipating slaves in the British Empire.


• 1833 - Died in his sleep, three days after hearing the news that Parliament would pass the bill to abolish slavery across the entire British Empire He wsa buried next to Prime Minister and friend William Pitt. .


• Places named after William Wilberforce include a neighborhood in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Wilberforce University in Ohio, a census-designated place in Greene County, Ohio, a small town in Wilberforce, New South Wales, and a monument in Queen's Gardens, Kingston upon Hull, England.

If you have time, you should read more about this incredible human being on his Wikipedia entry