William Wilberforce Esqr, 1759-1833

© National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: E9117

Description: Wilberforce was an established politician when, in 1785, he took up the cause of slave trade abolition. Encouraged by Thomas Clarkson, Wilberforce was persuaded to take the case for abolition to the British parliament. He became famous across the world as the central abolitionist figure of the parliamentary campaign.

Creator: James Heath; after John Russell; William Fadon

Date: 1807

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London, Michael Graham-Stewart slavery collection