William Wilberforce - the man (part 1)
Wilberforce's family originally came from Wilberfoss, a small village near York. His grandfather, also called William Wilberforce, was born in 1690. He moved to Hull to work for John Thornton, a Hull merchant, who traded in the Baltic with countries like Russia and Sweden. John Thornton lived in 25 High Street and William married his daughter Sarah Thornton in 1711. William Wilberforce's grandfather bought his merchant house from the Thornton family in 1732, which is how it became known as Wilberforce House today. William Wilberforce's father, Robert Wilberforce, was born in 1729 and he took over the merchant business. Robert married Elizabeth Bird in 1755 and they had 4 children. William was their third child, but their first son. This was a cause for celebration as the first son inherited the family estate and business #IMAGE##SUBHEADING#William Wilberforce - The Early Years#SUBHEADINGEND# William Wilberforce was born in Wilberforce House on the 24th August 1759. William was christened at Holy Trinity Church in Hull in September 1759. Not much is known about Wilberforce's birth except that he was a small weak baby. It was said his sons Robert and Samuel that 'His frame from infancy was feeble, his stature small, his eyes weak'. As a child William lived the life of a wealthy merchant's son in Hull. Hull was a busy port and William would have seen many different cargoes being loaded and shipped around the World. There is no evidence that Hull was involved in the slave trade or had slave ships visiting the port. However, the people of Hull used the products of slavery such as sugar, coffee and rum, in their daily life. In 1766, at the age of seven, William went to Hull Grammar School as a dayboy, for a traditional classical education, studying Latin and Ancient Greek. Joseph Milner was the new headmaster, and his younger brother Isaac was later to be an usher. Isaac was to become a lifelong friend of Wilberforce and had a strong influence on him becoming a Christian. After his father died in 1768, William was sent to live with his aunt and uncle, Hannah and William Wilberforce. #SUBHEADING#Methodism#SUBHEADINGEND# It was at their London home in St James Place that William first learnt about the Methodist religion at the age of nine. At the time Methodism was a new religious movement and his immediate family were unhappy with this influence on William, his grandfather saying 'If Billy turns Methodist he shall not have a sixpence of mine'. In 1771, aged 12, William's mother brought him back to Hull, and he was sent to Pocklington School near Wilberfoss, as a boarder until 1776.
William Wilberforce - the man (part 2)
Read about the impact of Wilberforce's university days and his career in politics.
Wilberforce Bible - Uncovering the Family Secrets
Read about the bibles that were once owned by William Wilberforce (1759-1833) and are now on display in Wilberforce House Museum.
The Wilberforce Library
The Wilberforce Library belonged to William Wilberforce and his sons, Samuel and Robert, and includes diverse subjects such as religion, poetry and foreign travel. Wilberforce's Library is on display to the public for the first time, along with some of his letters written to friends and family, and his journal dating from 1814-1823.
The Wilberforce Monument
William Wilberforce, MP for Yorkshire and passionate campaigner against the slave trade, was commemorated after is death with a monument paid for by public donation. But who designed it? How tall is it? And how much did it cost to buy? Read on and find out.
Moving the Wilberforce Monument in 1935
William Wilberforce's monument had become a motoring hazard by the 1930s and it needed to be moved to a new, more convenient location. Find out who moved the monument and what secrets are buried beneath...
Slavery Collections at Wilberforce House
Wilberforce House has many objects relating to slavery and the campaign for its abolition. The collection strengths lie in plantation records and anti-slavery material. Read on to discover more about the slavery collections at Wilberforce House.
The Campaign Against Slavery
Read about the parliamentary campaign to abolish slavery, womens role in the anti-slavery fight and how growing opposition among the public led to a boycott of sugar produced on plantations.
Enslavement and Plantation Life
Read about the horrific conditions that slaves endured on board slave ships in the Middle Passage and how they were met with discipline and harsh punishment once they arrived at the plantations.
