Book description
William Hague has written the life of William Wilberforce who was both
a staunch conservative and a tireless campaigner against the slave trade.
Hague shows how Wilberforce, after his agonising conversion to
evangelical Christianity, was able to lead a powerful tide of opinion,
as MP for Hull, against the slave trade, a process which was to take up
to half a century to be fully realised. Indeed, he succeeded in rallying
to his cause the support in the Commons Debates of some the finest
orators in Parliament, having become one of the most respected speakers
of those times.
Hague examines twenty three crucial years in British political life
during which Wilberforce met characters as varied as Louis XVI and Marie
Antoinette, Tsar Alexander of Russia, and the one year old future Queen
Victoria who used to play at his feet. He was friend and confidant of
Pitt, Spencer Perceval and George Canning. He saw these figures raised
up or destroyed in twenty three years of war and revolution.
Hague presents us with a man who teemed with contradictions: he took up
a long list of humanitarian causes, yet on his home turf would show
himself to be a firm supporter of the instincts, interests and
conservatism of the Yorkshire freeholders who sent him to Parliament.
William Hague's masterful study of this remarkable and pivotal figure
in British politics brings to life the great triumphs and shattering
disappointments he experienced in his campaign against the slave trade,
and shows how immense economic, social and political forces came to join
together under the tireless persistence of this unique man.
Note that it has not been possible to include the same picture content
that appeared in the original print version. 'The author has produced
a splendid read for which he deserves the utmost credit. He tells
Wilberforce's story with such enthusiasm and narrative skill that, in
this bicentennial year, his book seems assured of bestsellerdom. I put
it down liking Hague as much as I was moved by his tale, one of the most
remarkable in British political history.' Sunday Times
'An authoritative account of a remarkable life.' Sunday Times
'A fine, informative tribute.' Observer
'A superb biography.' Daily Express
'An enthusiastic and balanced portrayal of an appealing figure.' Sunday Telegraph
'Gripping…absorbing…the definitive biography.' Daily Mail
'Informed by a nuanced sense of what was and was not politically
possible at that moment…lucid and convincing…gripping.' Daily Telegraph
'William Hague has assumed from Roy Jenkins the mantle of Britain's
foremost politician-biographer. This magnificent biography of William
Wilberforce succeeds his good debut life of William Pitt…his achievement
goes far beyond an attractive prose style and meticulously accurate
historical re-recreation. The insights drawn from a wide parliamentary
and political experience bring to life the genius of the great
anti-slave trade campaigner in a wholly new and vivid way.' Evening
Standard William Hague was born in Rotherham in 1961. While at Oxford,
he was President of the Union and of the University Conservative
Association. He has been MP for Richmond, Yorkshire since 1989. He
joined the Cabinet in 1995 as Secretary of State for Wales, and was
leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to June 2001. This is
his second book.
