William Wilberforce's coat, c.1780-1800
This jacket is made of gold and mauve woven silk. It belonged to Hullâs William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire. He was the leader of the campaign against the slave trade in Parliament.
The jacket is part of Wilberforceâs court dress, the costume he would have worn to visit the Kingâs court. Court dress was more luxurious than everyday wear. The jacket would have been worn with knee length trousers, white stockings, buckled shoes and a waistcoat.
William Wilberforce was born at 25 High Street, Hull, in 1759. 25 High Street is now Wilberforce House Museum, part of Hull Museums. Wilberforceâs family came from Wilberfoss near York, which was the original spelling of the family name.
In 1776 Wilberforce left Hull to study Classics at St Johnâs College, Cambridge. He wasnât a model student, as he preferred entertaining and playing cards. All this changed after he left University and became interested in politics and religion.
At the age of just 21, Wilberforce was elected as MP for Hull. At the next election in 1784 he was elected as an MP for Yorkshire, one of Englandâs most powerful counties.
Soon after 1784 Wilberforce became an Evangelical Christian. He became convinced that religion should be carried into every area of life. Through his religious beliefs Wilberforce became involved in the growing movement to abolish the slave trade. After Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Bill in 1807, he campaigned against slavery itself.
Wilberforce had many other interests apart from slavery. He wanted to improve morals and tackle the causes of poverty. He worked for prison reform and was interested in charity schools and improving the lives of poor children. He tried to end the sport of bull baiting and wanted to introduce compulsory smallpox vaccinations. He was involved with founding the National Gallery in London, and the RSPCA.
