Public Figure Profiles

William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he became an evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform.

In 1787, he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of activists against the slave trade, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became the leading English abolitionist. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for 20 years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially controversial legislation, which resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad.

In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire. Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt the Younger.

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Some of their strengths

William Wilberforce has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Sophisticated, Organized, Kind, Curious, Intelligent, Innovative, and Leadership-oriented.

Smart and Sophisticated

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, William Wilberforce is someone who is a smart, sophisticated, and organized person who displays kindness and grace in every day interactions, and who also has a passionate soul. A person who defines themself by their friends and what groups they belong to.

Constant and Serious

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know William Wilberforce well know them as someone who can be determined, unmoving, and firm, like a rock or a high mountain.

Courteous and Easygoing

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe William Wilberforce as someone who is polite, modest, and diplomatic.

A person who tends to be socially popular, who loves intellectual or creative activities, who has a talent for communicating with and understanding the needs of others, and who seems to have a knack for getting recognized for their efforts.

Intelligent and Leadership-oriented

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, William Wilberforce is someone who is able to see things that others don't, and who can be an effective guide or mentor to others.

They are also someone who is charismatic, compassionate, and understanding, and who is interested in expressing themselves through writing, public speaking, or teaching.

Altruistic and Purposeful

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, William Wilberforce tends to be someone who has a desire to be of service to a higher calling and who is always trying to perfect things. Who can be practical and polished, reserved and methodical, and who tends to trust internal judgment before trusting anyone else at face value.

Some of William Wilberforce's challenges

While William Wilberforce has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, William Wilberforce can be Selfish, Difficult, Perfectionist, Complicated, Brusque, Indecisive, and Materialistic.

Difficult and Perfectionist

One of William Wilberforce's key challenges is that they are someone who can be difficult and too much of a perfectionist.

Indecisive and Materialistic

William Wilberforce is someone who can be indecisive, indulgent, and materialistic, who can have difficulty focusing on a single career or profession, have difficulty following orders or respecting authority, and who can suffer from "analysis paralysis".

Critical and Bossy

Finally, William Wilberforce also can be too focused on the small details of life, try to control whatever is happening, and be finicky and demanding.

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