Statesman and Saint: The Principled Politics of William Wilberforce

by David J. Vaughan

Overview

"God has set before me two great objects: the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners." These immortal words penned by William Wilberforce in 1787 were the beginning of his lifelong crusade as a Christian statesman and philanthropist. He became a member of the British Parliament for his hometown of Hull in 1780 and represented Yorkshire in 1784, a seat he retained until 1812. This moving biography of Wilberforce tells the story of his religious conversion in 1784 and his rise to leadership of the Clapham Sect-a group of evangelicals active in political, philanthropic, and religious causes. Under his leadership, the "Saints," as they were called, championed parliamentary and prison reforms, missionary endeavors, Bible distribution, and a host of other charitable efforts and organizations. These causes included the Church Missionary Society (established in 1799) and the British and foreign Bible Society (founded in 1804). Statesman and Saint also describes Wilberforce's unrelenting forty-year crusade against slavery, in spite of many defeats in Parliament. He labored for eighteen years to secure the abolition of the slave trade, enduring personal criticism, deep-seated prejudice, and threats on his life for another twenty-six years before he saw the Emanicipation Bill finally passed in July 1833. His influential book, A Practical View, laid the foundation for the moral elevation of the Victorian Era that folowed his death only three days after the Emancipation Bill was passed in Parliament.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620453926
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	08/15/2012
Series:	Leaders in Action
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.99(h) x 0.76(d)

Table of Contents

	Foreword	9
	Acknowledgments	13
	Introduction	15
	Chronology	19
Part I	The Life of William Wilberforce	27
	Prologue	29
	Early Years, Idle Years	35
	Nightingale of the Commons	41
	The Mighty Shrimp	47
	Religion in the Soul	51
	Two Great Objects	57
	The Slaves' Champion	63
	Opening Salvos	69
	Black Terror, Red Terror	75
	Manners and Marriage	81
	The Arduous Struggle	87
	Elder Statesman	95
	The Rattle of Chains	101
	The Midnight Hour	109
	Tribute	113
Part II	The Character of William Wilberforce	117
	Providence	119
	Religion	125
	Integrity	131
	Faults	137
	Self-Improvement	141
	Books	147
	Charm	153
	Friendship	159
	Teamwork	165
	Charity	169
	Benevolence	175
	Industry	181
	Sabbath	187
	Evangelism	193
	Missions	199
	Duty	205
	Principle	211
	Criticism	217
	Adversity	223
	Self-Control	229
	Marriage	235
	Family	241
	Vision	247
	Reform	251
	Prudence	257
	Eloquence	261
	Fame	267
	Humility	273
	Power	279
	Perseverance	285
Part III	The Legacy of William Wilberforce	291
	The Wilberforce Engima	293
	The World's Benefactor	299
	The Washington of Humanity	305
Part IV	The Lessons of Leadership	311
	Notes	315
	Selected Bibliography	329
	Index	337