Wilbur Wilberforce - A British Version of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, is credited in American History as the man who had the most to do with ending slavery in the US. William Wilberforce, or "Wilbur" as he was called by his friends, may have been Britain's version of the same. As a distinguished member of parliament, starting in the late 1700's, Wilberforce practiced Giving for a Living, often standing alone amidst strong opposition in the political arena to demonstrate the inhumane treatment of Africans brought to Great Britain for the sole purpose of their "market value" as slaves to British households. He fought a good fight and eventually won the day.

For 26 years, Wilberforce campaigned against slavery until the Slave Trade Act of 1807 ended slavery in Great Britain. To me, Wilberforce was a hero who found his destiny in bringing to light to one of humanities greatest tragedies. Lincoln, under diress from a Civil War that threatened to destroy America, followed suit in engaging the practice of treating all men equally. But it was William Wilberforce, who may have given him the idea fifty years earlier.

If you are enjoy a good movie, put "Amazing Grace" on your short list of must see movies. This flick that chronicles the life of William "Wilbur" Wilberforce, is a movie worth your time. William Wilberforce lived to give life to the African people and will be remembered as one of Britain's greatest heroes.

POSTED BY: Tim Calcara AT 07:20 am Permalink E-mail this