William Wilberforce 1759-1833

Former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, chooses

- By John Bercow. Photographs by Bridgeman and Shutterstock

IN PROFILE

William Wilberforce was a British politician who led the movement to abolish the slave trade, culminating in the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807 - the beginning of the end of slavery in the British empire. An evangelical Christian, and an MP from 1780 to 1825, the Yorkshireman also championed the foundation of the Church Mission Society and the RSPCA. He died in London aged 73 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

John Bercow was Speaker of the House of Commons from 2009–19. His podcast, Absolute Power, gives a whistle-stop tour of British democracy: absolutepowerpod.com

When did you first hear about Wilberforce?