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Description: | Wilberforce's diary gives an extensive narrative spanning the years 1814-23. It contains almost daily entries made during Wilberforce's period of active campaigning. This is complemented by a collection of letters (1792-1832). These include over 40 sent to Thomas Fowell Buxton (1792-1845) discussing contemporary affairs, and specifically Wilberforce's retirement from Parliament - Buxton succeeded Wilberforce as leader of the Anti-Slavery campaign. There are also 44 letters from Wilberforce to his son Henry, discussing both family and topical matters over a period of 14 years.
The 300 volumes of Wilberforce's personal library came back to Hull in 1906. In addition to books on the interests of a learned man of the time, they include best-selling contemporary tracts, texts like his own A Practical View of Christianity, and volumes on anti-slavery. Together with his diary, the library paints a vivid picture of his life, writings, interests and beliefs. Election material centres on the fiercely contested 1807 Parliamentary election. Despite being a national figure, with the slave trade recently abolished, Wilberforce had to battle to retain his seat.
Wilberforce Collection
The Museum holds some 904 artefacts relating to William Wilberforce, including his diary, letters, clothing, portraits, sculptures, library and election material. The nationally exhibited portrait of William and Hannah Wilberforce, uncle and aunt to William, is by Joseph Highmore, the noted 18th-century portrait artist. William visited them following the death of his father; a formative encounter which introduced him to the Nonconformist tradition of active Christianity. The definitive portrait of Wilberforce, by John Rising, depicts him as a young man, when he first took up the Abolitionist cause. A life-size effigy of Wilberforce, seated in his Chippendale chair, was presented by Madame Tussaud's in 1933. | Subjects: | Personalia | Source: | Cornucopia - Discovering UK Collections | FAX: | 01482 613 710 | Telephone: | 01482 613 902 | Identifier: | oai:www.cornucopia.org.uk:1178 | Go to resource |
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