Discover the early life and strong moral framework that shaped William Wilberforce, the future abolitionist, from his York‑born roots to a disciplined youth.
This edition opens with the beginnings of Wilberforce’s story—his birth in 1759, a family long settled in Yorkshire, and the formative years that followed. It traces his education from Hull’s grammar school through tutoring with relatives, highlighting the quiet strength of a boy small in stature but large in mind.
Set against a backdrop of personal faith and daily routine, the text shows how rigorous self‑discipline and religious devotion guided his choices. It includes reflections from his diary and early notes on living by rule, offering a window into the habits he would carry into adulthood.
- An account of Wilberforce’s ancestry, upbringing, and entry into education.
- Insights into his early emphasis on self‑control, virtue, and religious devotion.
- Scenes from his schooldays, family life, and the shaping of his character.
- Context for his later work as an abolitionist and public figure.
Ideal for readers of historical biographies and those interested in the roots of Wilberforce’s lifelong mission to reform society.