William Wilberforce: The Life of the Great Anti-Slave Campaigner by William Hague

Reviewed by Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House

It is three years since William Hague's first biography, a profile of William Pitt the Younger, was published and became a best seller. There is little doubt that Hague's latest effort will fare equally well. The timing of the publication will no doubt help - it is, after all, the bi-centenary year of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. But it is Hague's knowledge of Parliament - its history and procedures - his empathy with the political figures he discusses, together with a highly accessible writing style, that make this a very hard book to put down.

Wilberforce was born into a wealthy family which had made its fortune as merchants in the Baltic trade. A small man in stature, he suffered from many ailments throughout his life including extreme short-sightedness and an intestinal complaint that led him to require opium for relief. He had a wonderful voice, being a renowned singer, accurate mimic and an accomplished orator who could hold a room with his speaking skills.

Wilberforce spent the early years of his adult life doing what young men with wealth did in the 18th century. He went to Cambridge, drank a lot, partied, gambled and, in 1780, at the age of 21, became an MP for the seat of Hull. Wilberforce noted 'the election cost me 8 - 9,000 £ - a great riot.' This is the equivalent of nearly £1 million in today's money! It was during these early years in Cambridge and at Westminster that he struck up a friendship with William Pitt that was to last a lifetime.

In 1784 Wilberforce embarked on the Grand Tour of Europe. On his travels he came across a copy of a book entitled The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, which according to Hague 'set out… a complete framework for religious observation, and a philosophy of how to live.' It turned Wilberforce to the scriptures and forced him to seriously reflect on his life. Subsequent discussions on religion with his travelling companion, the eminent scholar Isaac Milner, led him ever closer to God and finally resulted in his embracing evangelical Christianity. By the time he returned to England in October 1785, he was writing, 'the deep guilt and black ingratitude of my past life forced itself upon me... and I condemned myself for having wasted precious time, and opportunities, and talents.'

So Wilberforce set out to do good works. As he put it in 1787 'God Almighty has sent before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.' The latter exercise was an unmitigated failure. Thankfully, his campaign against the slave trade was more successful, and it is that for which he is remembered today.

There were already anti-slavery campaigners but they needed a front man inside Parliament if they were to achieve abolition. That man needed to be an inspirational speaker and a tenacious campaigner able to influence the Government (which was led by Wilberforce's good friend Pitt). There were few men in the Commons who met all of these criteria and so in 1786, Wilberforce was approached by Sir Charles Middleton, a leader of the anti-slave trade campaigners, to spearhead the crusade.

Wilberforce met opposition from a hostile public, the monarchy and, of course, the slave traders themselves. But he pressed on regardless even though victory was never assured. After twenty years of campaigning - of researching the slave trade, organising petitions, making speeches all over the country, debates in the Commons and generally putting his life and soul into the effort - his work paid off. At 3am on 24th February 1807, the House of Commons voted by 283 to 16 for abolition. Weeping tears of joy, Wilberforce turned to his cousin and fellow campaigner Henry Thornton and said: 'well Henry, what shall we abolish next?'

This is a genuinely readable book which tells the story of a very great man. Hague has done the memory of Wilberforce proud and has established himself as a major player in the genre of political biography.