Historedia
Person

William Wilberforce

Events
6
Episodes
12
Years
1797–1840

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Wilberforce, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Marriage of William Wilberforce

    1797

    Role: groom; British politician and abolitionist leader

    1. 15 April 1797 · unspecified location of the introductionIntroduction to Barbara Ann Spooner

      Thomas Babington recommended 25-year-old Barbara Ann Spooner as a potential bride to the late-thirties Wilberforce.

    2. late April 1797 · unspecified location of the proposalProposal After an Eight-Day Romance

      After an eight-day whirlwind romance following their 15 April meeting, Wilberforce proposed despite friends urging him to slow down.

    3. 30 May 1797 · Church of St Swithin in Bath, SomersetMarriage at the Church of St Swithin in Bath

      Wilberforce and Barbara Ann Spooner married at the Church of St Swithin in Bath, Somerset, on 30 May 1797, about six weeks after meeting.

  2. Founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society

    1803–1804

    Role: Member of the founding group

    1. 1803 · LondonPre-Founding Consultation

      In 1803, Charles visited London to discuss the formation of a new society dedicated to supplying Bibles.

    2. 7 March 1804 · LondonFounding Meeting

      The British and Foreign Bible Society was formally inaugurated in London on 7 March 1804.

  3. Petition for transfer of Sierra Leone Company amid slave-trade abolition

    1807

    Role: Parliamentary Leader

    1. 25 March 1807 · Royal CourtRoyal Assent

      The Slave Trade Act 1807 received royal assent from King George III on 25 March 1807.

  4. Slave Trade Act 1807 abolishes the British slave trade

    1807

    Role: Sponsor of abolition motion

    1. 23 February 1807 · Palace of WestminsterHouse of Commons Vote

      The bill passed the House of Commons on 23 February 1807, marking a victory for Wilberforce after twenty years of campaigning.

    2. 25 March 1807 · Westminster, LondonRoyal Assent

      King George III granted royal assent to the Slave Trade Act on 25 March 1807, making it law.

  5. Slavery is abolished in the British Empire under the Slavery Abolition Act 1833

    1833–1840

    Role: Abolitionist leader who died shortly before the Act's passage

    1. 1833 to 1838 · British EmpireCompensation to Slave Owners

      Slave owners received compensation for the loss of their enslaved workforce, funded by taxpayers.

    2. 22 July 1833 to 1 August 1834 · Parliament of the United KingdomPassage of the Slavery Abolition Act

      The Act passed its second reading unopposed on 22 July 1833, a week before Wilberforce died, received royal assent on 28 August, and came into force on 1 August 1834.

    3. 1 August 1834 to 1 August 1840 · British EmpireImplementation of Apprenticeship System

      Former slaves were redesignated as apprentices, with servitude ending in stages between 1838 and 1840.

  6. Wilberforce Monument completed in Kingston upon Hull

    1835

    Role: Subject of the monument

    1. 12 November 1835 · Wilberforce Monument, Kingston Upon Hull, EnglandCompletion of the Wilberforce Monument

      The Wilberforce Monument in Kingston upon Hull was completed on 12 November 1835 with the placement of the statue.

Sources

  1. William Wilberforce Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-30
  2. British and Foreign Bible Society Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-16
  3. Slave Trade Act 1807 Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
  4. Slavery Abolition Act 1833 Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-19
  5. Wilberforce Monument Wikipedia, revision of 2025-12-15