Person    | Male  Born 24/8/1759  Died 29/7/1833

William Wilberforce (abolitionist)

Politician, philanthropist and slavery abolitionist. Born in High Street, Hull. Entered parliament in 1780 and became a close ally of William Pitt the Younger. He converted to evangelical Christianity and campaigned against indecency and immorality, founding the 'Society for the Suppression of Vice' in 1802. A cartoon of the time shows him using his top hat to cover the genitals of the naked statue of Achilles in Hyde Park.  His son, also William, was in the dairy business but was so unsuccessful that William senior had to sell even his own home to repay his son's business debts.  A leading figure in the Clapham Sect, his fame rests on his campaign to abolish slavery in the British West Indies, which was achieved in 1807. He went on to try to secure a total abolition, that resulted in the Slavery Abolition Act, which was passed one month after his death at 44 Cadogan Place, Chelsea. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
William Wilberforce (abolitionist)

Commemorated ati

Buxton Memorial Fountain

Due to strong shadows it was only on our fourth visit that we managed to take...

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Gilt of Cain - Slave trade

This sculpture, 'Gilt of Cain', was unveiled by Bishop Tutu in commemoration ...

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Holy Trinity Clapham - Clapham Sect

The damage on this plaque is the result of WW2 bombs.

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Holy Trinity Clapham - Wilberforce

William Wilberforce and 'the Clapham Sect' worshipped in this church. Their ...

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Other Subjects

United St Saviour’s Charity / Corporation of Wardens of the Parish of St Saviour’s

United St Saviour’s Charity / Corporation of Wardens of the Parish of St Saviour’s

Southwark St Saviour was a civil parish and part of the ancient Borough of Southwark. It was formed in 1541 from the union of the parishes of St Margaret and St Mary.  In 1899 it lost its governanc...

Group, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
John Groom

John Groom

Philanthropist who founded workshops for disabled girls. Moved by the plight of destitute disabled women on the streets of London, John Groom founded a mission to help them. The women supported the...

Person, Philanthropy

1 memorial
Katherine Mackay Low

Katherine Mackay Low

Philanthropist. Born in Georgia, USA to British parents. After her mother's death, the family moved to Britain. In Battersea, which at the time was a deprived area of London, she devoted herself to...

Person, Philanthropy, USA

1 memorial
Henry Gage Spicer

Henry Gage Spicer

Chairman of the paper manufacturers Spicers, Ltd, and Associated Companies. 1933 Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. Owned a country estate, 'Holmwood', Sawston, Cambridge (but we can fi...

Person, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration

3 memorials
Charles Booth

Charles Booth

Philanthropist and shipowner. Born 27 Bedford North Street, Liverpool. On his father's death he took control of the family shipping business and extended it to include steamships. Following his inv...

Person, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

2 memorials