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Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was at the heart of British politics for over forty years but is chiefly remembered as the reformer who campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade in England. John Pollock presents a full picture of the man.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
37 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
John Charles Pollock
56 books28 followersThe late John Pollock, an award-winning biographer, had a flair for telling a dramatic story. He used this talent to write many biographies including ones on D. L. Moody and Major General Sir Henry Havelock.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 23, 2021
If I could pick someone from history to have a conversation with, it would be William Wilberforce. I’m so inspired by his character, his work for abolition, the way he impacted individuals and popular culture for Christ, and the way he handled physical and relational suffering.
This is the fourth biography I’ve read of Wilberforce, and it was definitely the driest. Pollack focuses primarily on political events, and misses a lot of the pathos and relatability other biographers bring out. I loved reading it because I admire Wilberforce so much, but it wouldn’t be my first recommendation.
This is the fourth biography I’ve read of Wilberforce, and it was definitely the driest. Pollack focuses primarily on political events, and misses a lot of the pathos and relatability other biographers bring out. I loved reading it because I admire Wilberforce so much, but it wouldn’t be my first recommendation.
February 18, 2020
A thorough, well researched biography of the great Christian parliamentarian who brought about the abolition of the slave trade from the British Empire.
May 19, 2020
I was glad to have read this book, another strong biography from Pollock. It took a while, and early on I had fears that I would be drowned by the complexity of English titles and name-dropping to weave family relations together. This lessened, though it continued throughout the book as Wilberforce was a politician and had immense correspondence and was connected to so many people.
Nevertheless, a respectable, endearing and admirable portrait emerged about this famous yet complicated historical character. Wilberforce's conversion and deepening faith drove him politically and it was not always easy to play the game and remain true to convictions. He was also a man of his time and so seeing all these tensions at play was an interesting example of Christianity at work in a culture that is christian in name and values, but far less so in practice.
Nevertheless, a respectable, endearing and admirable portrait emerged about this famous yet complicated historical character. Wilberforce's conversion and deepening faith drove him politically and it was not always easy to play the game and remain true to convictions. He was also a man of his time and so seeing all these tensions at play was an interesting example of Christianity at work in a culture that is christian in name and values, but far less so in practice.
November 12, 2023
Dry, dull and tedious. And did I say dry?
May 28, 2015
After watching "Amazing Grace" I decided to find out what Wilberforce was actually like, and was debating between this and Belmonte's biographies. When I saw that Belmonte had earlier won "The John Pollock Award," I knew that one author stood taller than the other!
This is a very conservative biography, and by that I mean Pollock commentates and interprets very sparingly. He reports simple facts, and when there is something to be said about his subject, he finds in Wilberforce's own words, or in the words of those who knew him, such lively descriptions as a biographer 200 years later could never invent with a straight face. In these writings from Wilberforce's letters and journals we see the heart of a man desperate to serve his Lord, in the words of those who knew him we see a man with the joy of his Lord in the face of adversity, and sprinkled throughout is good old-fashioned British wit.
Wilberforce was a man of passion and persistence. His discipline to stay the course was apparently not matched by his discipline of organization, but in him we see the power of a man committed to a cause over decades, and how God used the labors of a few men to turn the hearts of an entire nation against the great evil of the day. Wilberforce usually didn't take uncompromising stands as he pursued his great object, but he was relentless in his incrementalism. He pressed on until he couldn't fight any longer, and then was allowed to live just long enough to see the last great victory.
Who will be the relentless voice against todays evils? Who will be the voice crying in the cities to turn the nations? Who will be our Wilberforce?
This is a very conservative biography, and by that I mean Pollock commentates and interprets very sparingly. He reports simple facts, and when there is something to be said about his subject, he finds in Wilberforce's own words, or in the words of those who knew him, such lively descriptions as a biographer 200 years later could never invent with a straight face. In these writings from Wilberforce's letters and journals we see the heart of a man desperate to serve his Lord, in the words of those who knew him we see a man with the joy of his Lord in the face of adversity, and sprinkled throughout is good old-fashioned British wit.
Wilberforce was a man of passion and persistence. His discipline to stay the course was apparently not matched by his discipline of organization, but in him we see the power of a man committed to a cause over decades, and how God used the labors of a few men to turn the hearts of an entire nation against the great evil of the day. Wilberforce usually didn't take uncompromising stands as he pursued his great object, but he was relentless in his incrementalism. He pressed on until he couldn't fight any longer, and then was allowed to live just long enough to see the last great victory.
Who will be the relentless voice against todays evils? Who will be the voice crying in the cities to turn the nations? Who will be our Wilberforce?
October 21, 2019
Inspiring, sympathetic, rigorous, well written, and EXTREMELY British (it helped that the audiobook reader had just the right RP accent). A fair number of the minor details were lost on me, ignorant as I am of 18th century British political practices. But my mind stayed engaged with the narrative and the humble character of its subject.
Wilberforce's great efforts—to reform British national morals and abolish the slave trade—come across as sincere fruits of his evangelical beliefs and his kindly, vivacious, witty soul.
One may choose the utopian route and demand justice now, and one may be in the right. But more often (?), great evils either take violence to root out—a violence which, as in the French Revolution, bring greater evils—or they take political patience and assiduousness. We heirs of British culture, who shed much of the blood extracted by our slavers' whips, might wish we had a Wilberforce who could have helped rid us of this moral scourge sooner than the 1860s.
Wilberforce's great efforts—to reform British national morals and abolish the slave trade—come across as sincere fruits of his evangelical beliefs and his kindly, vivacious, witty soul.
One may choose the utopian route and demand justice now, and one may be in the right. But more often (?), great evils either take violence to root out—a violence which, as in the French Revolution, bring greater evils—or they take political patience and assiduousness. We heirs of British culture, who shed much of the blood extracted by our slavers' whips, might wish we had a Wilberforce who could have helped rid us of this moral scourge sooner than the 1860s.
July 13, 2020
There was good information in this biography, so for that, it is worth your time. It may be one of the best in that respect. However, it was written like a doctoral dissertation, dry, and dull. Biographies are histories, yes, but when written well, they can keep you turning the pages. This one is not like that, unfortunately.
September 15, 2020
This book provides an exhaustive account of Wilberforce's life and accomplishments, powerfully tracing his journey. The book does delve into the minutiae, which can cause it to become something of a chore to read, but if you want to learn about Wilberforce or what late 18th- early 19th century England was like this book is excellent.
September 9, 2024
A very inspiring and interesting biography of one of the great, though humble, characters of history. His greatest work was for the abolition of the slave trade, though he did an enormous amount for other great causes and was an active supporter of the increase of Christian mission and evangelism. I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to have read this.
April 26, 2025
Top-notch biography of the Englishman most responsible for the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade, and the evangelical Anglican MP and politician who advocated Christianity as the basis for reforms to morals, education and religion in opposition to radical causes and revolution.
October 19, 2017
An interesting biography of one of the most fascinating people to have graced the world.
August 10, 2018
A heartfelt, thorough appreciation of Wilberforce and of his faith and fight against slavery and the slave trade. How appropriate in a time of increased slavery and human trafficking.
February 8, 2017
Interesting read. Moves along well and doesn't bore.
Good informational and historical book. Neat to see the way of life and conviction of Wilberforce. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Good informational and historical book. Neat to see the way of life and conviction of Wilberforce. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
March 25, 2017
One quick disclosure: I only listened to about a third of this book due to the length. When I selected the audiobook, I assumed it would be a fairly concise biography of Wilberforce. That was not the case.
With that said, I was very impressed with the book, and I found the parts I read very enjoyable. The book was thoroughly researched, and from what I read the author gives a very detailed account of nearly ever part of Wilberforce's life. For any reader interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of William Wilberforce, this biography is worth your time. It may not be the best option for a more casual reader.
With that said, I was very impressed with the book, and I found the parts I read very enjoyable. The book was thoroughly researched, and from what I read the author gives a very detailed account of nearly ever part of Wilberforce's life. For any reader interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of William Wilberforce, this biography is worth your time. It may not be the best option for a more casual reader.
November 16, 2011
A detailed bio of Wilberforce. . I would recommend reading Wilberforce's book, Practical Christianity then Eric Metaxas' biography of Wilberforce and then follow it up with this book.
June 1, 2016
Very tedious reading.
May 2, 2017
A bit expansive on Wilberforce's family life and political involvement, but no one reading this can fail to grasp three things. One, Wilberforce had a passion for God and people that drove him to be involved at a breakneck pace. Two, since doctors (at the time) thought heroin pills were beneficial, one can grant Wilberforce grace for developing a life-long habit. Three, Wilberforce was a bit too gracious with an overanxious wife and slovenly household help, but he was as well-regarded for his cheerfulness and bonhomie as for his bedrock principles. England was in a wretched moral state, having exchanged a shaky economy for human lives and a thriving heroin trade, and Wilberforce stood in the gap and rallied for change that lasted. I wish our politicians would make the same level of effort to fight our society's wretched blindness and ignore those who say 'the slaves are happy/fated to be lorded over.' Studies can be twisted, then and now.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews