Biographies of the Heroes:

William Wilberforce

All text and images are 2007 Christopher Sunami.
(Illustrations by Michael Krone)
All rights reserved.
No duplication in any form
except by written permission of the author.
Reprinted here by permission.

William Wilberforce was born on August 24, 1759 in Kingston-on-Hull, England, into the family of a wealthy merchant. During a period spent with his aunt and uncle as a young child, he became a convert to their evangelical Methodism. As this was considered a disreputable religion at the time, his mother discouraged his religious views and encouraged him to lose himself in more worldly pleasures and ambitions.

Upon reaching adulthood he entered politics, rediscovered his faith, and devoted the rest of his life to social issues, most notably the abolition of slavery in Britain. During his life, he was sometimes criticized for his support of censorship and other government infringements of civil liberties; yet he remains celebrated not only for his defeat of slavery, but also for his wide-ranging social reforms. He died on July 29, 1833, in London.

Notable Attributes:

Nonviolence, Persistence, Commitment, Integrity, Patience

Principles:

Stand Up for What You Believe
Live Your Faith
Mentor Others
Be Bold
Attend to the Details
Be Committed
Be Persistent
Be Openminded
Be Ready
Refuse Your Adversaries’ Gifts