William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, and became an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an Evangelical Anglican, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform.

24 August 1759

Born on the same birth day (24 August): Erin Molan • Griffin Gluck • Jans Koerts • Jean-Michel Jarre • John I of Castile • Juan Pedro Lanzani • Max Cleland • Per Gade • Richard Cushing • Roger De Vlaeminck • Ronnie Grieveson • Todd Young