William Wilberforce
(1759-1833), Philanthropist and reformerRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 33 portraits
An evangelical Christian and social reformer, Wilberforce dedicated himself to the 'suppression of the Slave Trade and the reformation of manners'. He entered Parliament in 1780 as a Tory MP and was the Parliamentary leader of the Abolition movement from 1787. After years of campaigning, Wilberforce's bill to end Britain's part in slave trading was passed to a standing ovation in 1807. A further act of 1833 provided for the emancipation of slaves in British colonies. Wilberforce was plagued by illness for most of his adult life developing ulcerative colitis in his 20s and a curvature of the spine in his 50s which resulted in him wearing a metal support to maintain his head position.
by John Russell
oil on canvas, 1770
NPG 759
by Anton Hickel
oil on canvas, 1793-1795
NPG 745
by George Richmond
watercolour, 1833
NPG 4997
after John Rising
stipple engraving, after 1789
NPG D37514
by Charles Howard Hodges, published by John Rising, published by Thomas Harmar, after John Rising
mezzotint, published 1 February 1792
NPG D37512
after J. Davies
line and stipple engraving, published 1792
NPG D8323
'Frontispiece' (Charles James Fox; William Wilberforce)
by James Sayers, published by Hannah Humphrey
etching, published 14 April 1795
NPG D9561
'The weathercock of St Stephen's' (Charles James Fox; William Wilberforce)
by James Sayers, published by Hannah Humphrey
etching, published 14 April 1795
NPG D9575
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, engraving and aquatint, published 4 June 1795
NPG D12528
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and engraving, published 17 December 1795
NPG D12551
'The giant factotem amusing himself'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 21 January 1797
NPG D12593
'Parliamentary-reform, - or - opposition-rats, leaving the house they had undermined'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 28 May 1797
NPG D12614
'Consequences of a successful French invasion, No 1, plate 1st'
by and published by James Gillray
hand-coloured etching, published 1 March 1798
NPG D13086
'Sketch of the interior of St Stephens, as it now stands'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 1 March 1802
NPG D12781
'A phantasmagoria; - scene - conjuring-up an armed-skeleton'
by and published by James Gillray
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 5 January 1803
NPG D12799
'The state waggoner, and John Bull - or - the waggon too much for the donkeys!'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 14 March 1804
NPG D12829
storming Heaven; - with, the gods alarmed for their everlasting-abodes'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, engraving and aquatint, published 1 May 1804
NPG D13106
'Political-candour; - i.e. - Coalition-"resolutions" of June 14th 1805. - pro bono publico'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 21 June 1805
NPG D12846
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 July 1805
NPG D12847
'Bruin in his boat, - or - the manager in distress'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 20 June 1806
NPG D12869
by James Heath, published by William Finden, published by John Hatchard, published by William Russell, after John Russell
line engraving, published 1807
NPG D37511
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 22 February 1809
NPG D12917
'The life of William Cobbett - written by himself. No 6'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 29 September 1809
NPG D12929
by Henry Edridge, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Giovanni Vendramini
stipple engraving, published 27 October 1809
NPG D15828
by Edward Scriven, published by and after Joseph Slater
stipple engraving, published 10 April 1816
NPG D37513
The Milan Garland or Revels round the Vice Post
by Charles Williams, published by John Johnston
hand-coloured etching, published July 1820
NPG D46028
by William Say, after Joseph Slater
mezzotint, published 18 April 1820
NPG D11346
by William Say, published by and after Joseph Slater
mezzotint, published 18 April 1820
NPG D19023
by (Isaac) Robert Cruikshank, published by George Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published May 1821
NPG D48680
by Samuel Cousins, after George Richmond
mezzotint, published 1834 (1833)
NPG D32192
Heroes of the Slave Trade Abolition
by Unknown artist
wood engraving, mid-late 19th century
NPG D9338
published by Kings Town Photocodes Limited, after George Richmond, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
photographic reproduction, circa 1983 (1828)
NPG D37510
Related People
- Agnes Everilda Mary Froude (née Wilberforce) (granddaughter)
- Albert Basil Orme Wilberforce (grandson)
- (Bertrand) Arthur Henry Wilberforce (grandson)
- Caroline Mary Wilberforce (granddaughter)
- Ernest Roland Wilberforce (grandson)
- Henry Edward Wilberforce (grandson)
- Henry William Wilberforce (son)
- Reginald Garton Wilberforce (grandson)
- Samuel Wilberforce (son)
- Wilfrid Ignatius Wilberforce (grandson)
- William Wilberforce (son)
- William Francis Wilberforce (grandson)
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