C.H. Hodges engraver, After John Rising (1753 - 1817)

William Wilberforce Esq.

Published: London, 1791

Engraving

Paper size: 16 ¼ x 21 ½”

An evangelical Christian and social reformer, Wilberforce dedicated himself to the 'suppression of the Slave Trade and the reformation of manners'. He entered Parliament in 1780 as a Tory MP and was the Parliamentary leader of the Abolition movement from 1787. After years of campaigning, Wilberforce's bill to end Britain's part in slave trading was passed to a standing ovation in 1807. A further act of 1833 provided for the emancipation of slaves in British colonies.