William Wilberforce (1754-1833)

Area	Wimbledon Village
Picture Reference	Wim_29_29-1
Original Format	Painting
Notes / History	The ten year old William went to live with elderly relatives in Wimbledon when his father died and later inherited his uncle's mansion, Laurel Grove, on Southside, Wimbledon. Here he entertained his friend and contemporary, Prime Minister William Pitt. During the latter part of the 18th century, Wilberforce was inspired by the ideas of reformers. These particularly influenced his attitude to wealth and the slave trade, which he regarded as a crime against humanity. He campaigned to abolish slavery across the British Empire, which was finally achieved in 1833.