[Dixielandjazz] Amazing Grace and Wilberforce

[TBW504 at aol.com]

Bill
Despite what is commonly assumed Wilberforce was NOT the most important  
figure in the abolition of the slave trade. Pride of place has to go in that  
regard to Thomas Clarkson (see the book "Thomas Clarkson" by American scholar  
Ellen Gibson Wilson.) His contemporaries gave the accolade to Clarkson but a  
campaign of vilification by Wilberforce's sons motivated by jealousy led to  
Clarkson being virtually airbrushed from history. Wilberforce was an important  
figure in that he steered the abolition bill through parliament but that was  
only achieved after years and years of tireless work up and down the country -  
often being attacked in slaving ports - by Clarkson  that gradually moved  
public opinion.
Brian Wood