The Wilberforce Diaries Project

The manuscript diaries of William Wilberforce (in the Bodleian and Wilberforce House Museum) contain almost a million words and cover over half a century from 1779 to 1833. 85% of the text has never been published. Portrait: Wilberforce aged 11 by John Russell (NPG 759).

Looking forward to presenting a progress report at the IHR's British History in the Long 18thC seminar: history.ac.uk/events/diaries… In person at the University of Northampton, and on Zoom.

One of the 6000+ people mentioned in the diaries is Henry Atley, buried in the Dissenting graveyard at Bunhill Fields (and given this obituary in Bunhill Memorials):

The Wilberforce boys behaving badly in 1816: 'Samuel [11 yo] & Henry [9] \under Him/ threw dirt against the Windows of the Servants Hall, broke one & cracked another – I call’d them in immediately & made them go to Work...But Samuel was not penitent...'

The original MSS diary is lost for this period, but Wilberforce seems to have missed the celebrations. The Life has this curious extract from 25 March 1807: 'A meeting of the Slave Trade Committee in Palace Yard, knew it not till afterwards'.

#OTD 1807 the Slave Trade Act was passed, abolishing the trade of enslaved people in the British Empire. But why then was the Slavery Abolition Act passed 26 years later? Find out more below: historyofparliament.com/2024/08/28/183…

Happy Christmas to all our followers. For the 17thC background to the Anglican Christmas celebrated by Wilberforce see this fine article by @ArielHessayon open.substack.com/pub/arielhessa…

This is WW’s final Christmas, so a fitting end to this year’s ‘advent calendar.’

Sacrament {& Communion} - Had a fly from Maidstone & the Road extremely Wet & dirty - I’m reading Orton’s Sermon to the aged Given me many Years ago by my dear & Excellent friend Mr Stephen.’

WILBERFORCE DIARIES ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 24: 1832: ‘Xtmas Day. High Wind S & SW Thermometer 51 at 2 1/2 PM Rain from early Morning & at times very hard Soft & Warm & it became fair about 2 oClock & so continued - Dear Robert preach’d on Luke {[2:]11-15} Shepherds & Angels (cont.)

In consequence I immediately wrote again to Mr Hey of Leeds strongly urging Him to go over instantly & form & report his Opinion - Whether Milder Climate &c should be resorted to &c.’

both Morning & afternoon very well But his Tones become more offensive than formerly - Last night We were alarm’d by an Account from Rawmarsh mentioning for the first time Lizzy’s having fever early in Morning &c &c (cont.)

WILBERFORCE DIARIES ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 23: 1831: ‘Xtmas Day & Sunday. Pleasant & fair day also, frost last Night & early this Morning - Dear Henry arriv’d to Breakfast from London having been up all night during travelling lately - Archdeacon Spooner preach’d (cont.)

as if He had perhaps been a good Man before & perhaps the Change gradual in Him & incomplete hereafter.’

pro retiring got into arguing (but I think rightly) with dear Robert who I own appear’d to me to be softening down by Metaphysical Subtleties the plain & aweful truths of Scripture - Arguing against the great Change in Col Gardiner’s Instance (cont.)

WILBERFORCE DIARIES ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 22: 1829: ‘Xtmas Day. Yesterday my dearest B’s Birthday 58 twelve years younger than me - More Snow last night & deepush - So Robert & Henry & Mary only went to Totteridge Church - the rest had Service at home Morning (cont.)

& this Evening did not seize the time as I ought do now 10 oClock Oimoi no Private Devotion today - I was much affected today going to the Sacrament with all my family except little Wm. Praise the Lord O my Soul.’

WILBERFORCE DIARIES ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 21: 1828: ‘Xtmas Day. Rain in Night fine Day & air tending to frost - Hendon Church & Sacrament. Williams preach’d Robert read prayers - Evening Robert read (Samuel prayers) 2d Sumners on Xmas & was near 3 when got Home (cont.)

(Alas! Alas! Sad Work among the Servants Charles attaching to Him one after another & then forsaking them for a fresh Object).’

WILBERFORCE DIARIES ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 20: 1827: ‘Xtmas day 25th. Raw sulky Day tho’ delightful & Sun rising. Whitchurch & Sacrament my 4 Children & Mary with me … Evening expounded on Moses Brazen Serpent explaining Nature of Redemption etc (cont.)