A Speech on the Abolition of the Slave
Trade
Delivered in the House of Commons on May 13, 1789, by WILLIAM WILBERFORCE , Representative of the County of York
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE , philanthropist, was born at Hull in 1759 of a Yorkshire fantily that had taken its name from Wilberfoss, a town eight miles east of York. He represented Hull in 1780 and was a great friend of Pitt's. In the 'eighties the attention of philanthropists was drawn to the question of slavery, and Wilberforce took up the cause in Parliament. His famous speech of May, 1789, lasted three hours and a half. In all he moved twelve resolutions condemning the slave trade. They were supported by Pitt, Burke, and Fox, and carried without a division.