Sundays were set aside in the Wilberforce household as a special time to spend with the Lord. The family engaged in prayer, Bible reading, and devotions.
Wilberforce married Barbara Ann Spooner in 1797, and they raised their children in the faith.
His strong belief that all people were made in the image of God compelled him to fight against the British slave trade (see Genesis 1:27). At Newton’s urging, Wilberforce devoted himself to the abolition of slavery and what he called “manner reform,” as recorded in a journal entry from 1787: “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners” (quoted at, accessed ). In talking to his friend John Newton, Wilberforce was dissuaded from removing himself from politics, since a Christian presence would be valuable in Parliament. Wilberforce experienced a radical change in his life: he stopped drinking and playing cards and seriously considered a life as a minister. Soon after this, Wilberforce placed his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Milner invited Wilberforce to study the New Testament with him, and in the course of study Wilberforce developed great sorrow over the condition of his soul. Around this time, clergyman Isaac Milner accompanied Wilberforce to France, and they discussed religious matters. In college, William Wilberforce lost his religious interest and began to engage in self-pleasing behavior, including drinking and gambling.Īt the age of 21, Wilberforce became a member of Parliament and started his political career. Being taken to hear the sermons of John Newton as a young boy undoubtedly influenced his later faith in Jesus. He lived with an aunt and uncle for a period after his father’s death in 1768, at which time Wilberforce was exposed to evangelical views. He is most famous for his leading role in abolishing the slave trade in Britain.īorn to Anglican parents in Hull, England, Wilberforce grew up privileged and wealthy. William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a Christian philanthropist, politician, and abolitionist in England.
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