William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was an English abolitionist. He was born in Yorkshire, England and studied at Cambridge. He became a member of the House of Commons in 1790 where he remained for over 30 years. Through the influence of John Newton, one of his former teachers, he became a devout evangelical Christian and an advocate for social reforms. His efforts to abolish the slave trade were achieved in 1807 when a bill that abolished the evil practice became law. His work was not done, however. It wasn’t until 1833, a month after he died, that an Emancipation Bill was passed that freed all slaves under British rule. During his life he also helped to found numerous charitable organizations, mission societies, and Bible foundations. He used his power and position to help enact laws that represented the Christian ideals he believed should govern society.
Wilberforce
More, Hannah
Hannah More (1745-1833) was born near Bristol, England. She was educated at a school run by her older sisters. She began writing at an early age and by the time she was in her mid-thirties she had published a number of dramas and works of religious fiction. She began writing tracts during the time of the French Revolution, primarily to promote the Christian faith against the agnostic philosophies that were becoming influential. Her tracts were tremendously popular and led to the creation of the Religious Tract Society. Her social views, particularly regarding the plight of poor women and children and the evils of slavery, were influenced by preachers and reform advocates like William Wilberforce and John Newton. She used her wealth to establish schools, press the government for social improvements and set up relief agencies. Her books, poems, and tracts were very popular and her social activism helped improve the lives of the helpless and oppressed.