The role of William Wilberforce
On 12 May 1789 William Wilberforce, MP for Hull, gave his first key speech on the abolition of the slave trade. It has gone down in history as one of the best speeches ever made in the Houses of Parliament.
Wilberforce's speeches were powerful, graphic, appealing and influential in persuading many to support the abolitionist cause.
His Christian faith had led him to become interested in social reform and link the issues of factory reform in Britain and the need to abolish slavery and the slave trade within the British Empire.
Wilberforce worked with other abolitionists including Clarkson, putting forward the arguments of the Society in Parliament for 18 years.
Wilberforce has always been the name most firmly attached to the narrative of abolition. When his bill to abolish the slave trade was finally passed on 25 March 1807, his role was acknowledged with a rare standing ovation by fellow MPs.
His personal qualities ensured he held the trust and respect of his fellow MPs and he was well known for his charm, kindness, and integrity. The Quakers needed him to be their parliamentary spokesman as they were barred from Parliament until 1828. Wilberforce was the key abolitionist figure in Parliament, and Parliament was where the institution of slavery would be overturned in law.
Wilberforce was not one of the twelve founding members of the 1787 Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and many believe Clarkson deserves as much individual credit for his equally tireless efforts behind the scenes.