William Hague has written the life of William Wilberforce who was both a staunch conservative and a tireless campaigner against the slave trade. Hague shows how Wilberforce, after his agonising conversion to evangelical Christianity, was able to lead a powerful tide of opinion, as MP for Hull, against the slave trade, a process which was to take up to half a century to be fully realised. Indeed, he succeeded in rallying to his cause the support in the Commons Debates of some the finest orators in Parliament, having become one of the most respected speakers of those times. Hague examines twenty three crucial years in British political life during which Wilberforce met characters as varied as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Tsar Alexander of Russia, and the one year old future Queen Victoria who used to play at his feet. He was friend and confidant of Pitt, Spencer Perceval and George Canning. He saw these figures raised up or destroyed in twenty three years of war and revolution. Hague presents us with a man who teemed with contradictions: he took up a long list of humanitarian causes, yet on his home turf would show himself to be a firm supporter of the instincts, interests and conservatism of the Yorkshire freeholders who sent him to Parliament. William Hague's masterful study of this remarkable and pivotal figure in British politics brings to life the great triumphs and shattering disappointments he experienced in his campaign against the slave trade, and shows how immense economic, social and political forces came to join together under the tireless persistence of this unique man. Key title / Former Conservative party leader William Hague introduces us to the life and struggles of William Wilberforce -- a unique man of his time and a devoted MP who tirelessly campaigned against the slave trade. / 'William Pitt the Younger' has sold over 68,000 copies in the UK to date and 'William Wilberforce' has received rave reviews and has sold over 17,000 copies in hardback since publication. / 'William Wilberforce' was the most popular 2007 summer book choice amongst politicians. / Competition: Roy Jenkins, Edward Pearce
William Hague is the bestselling author of William Pitt the Younger, published in 2004 to rapturous reviews. The book has sold just over 70,000 copies and was chosen as History Book of the Year in the British Book Awards. William Hague was born in Rotherham in 1961. At Oxford, he was President of both the Union and the University Conservative Association. He has been MP for Richmond, Yorkshire since 1989. He joined the Cabinet in 1995 as Secretary of State for Wales, and was leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to June 2001. He is now Shadow Foreign Secretary and Senior Member of the Shadow Cabinet. William Wilberforce, published in June 2007, is his second book.
'The author has produced a splendid read for which he deserves the utmost credit. He tells Wilberforce's story with such enthusiasm and narrative skill that, in this bicentennial year, his book seems assured of bestsellerdom. I put it down liking Hague as much as I was moved by his tale, one of the most remarkable in British political history.' Sunday Times 'An authoritative account of a remarkable life.' Sunday Times 'A fine, informative tribute.' Observer 'A superb biography.' Daily Express 'An enthusiastic and balanced portrayal of an appealing figure.' Sunday Telegraph 'Gripping!absorbing!the definitive biography.' Daily Mail 'Informed by a nuanced sense of what was and was not politically possible at that moment!lucid and convincing!gripping.' Daily Telegraph 'William Hague has assumed from Roy Jenkins the mantle of Britain's foremost politician-biographer. This magnificent biography of William Wilberforce succeeds his good debut life of William Pitt!his achievement goes far beyond an attractive prose style and meticulously accurate historical re-recreation. The insights drawn from a wide parliamentary and political experience bring to life the genius of the great anti-slave trade campaigner in a wholly new and vivid way.' Evening Standard 'Both subject and author of this book are excellent company.' The Times 'Richly detailed and engrossing!a fine companion volume to William Hague's life of Pitt.' The Spectator 'Thoroughly researched and attractively presented and written with skill and energy.' The Independent 'Hague writes with fluency, sometimes with grace and has that commendable gift of the professional politician: an unerring ability to retain the attention of his audience.' Sunday Telegraph 'Hague!does his fellow Yorkshireman proud, amply fulfilling the promise of his earlier biography of Pitt. An accomplished parliamentary speaker, Hague is brilliantly suited to conveying the drama of a period in which, unlike today, eloquence and persuasion played a real role. More than that he suceeds in bringing Wilberforce to life, the private man as well as the public orator.' Financial Times 'Everything about this book reeks quality!Hague's total immersion in his subject makes his treatment of the 18th century's convoluted democratic processes both fascinating and fun!William Hague's book, informed human, evocative and epic, is a rangy and comfortable journey.' Sunday Express 'William Hague would be flattered to learn that "William Wilberforce" is the most popular all-party choice.' The Times 'The Liberal Democrat's top summer read.' The Independent '"William Wilberforce" beat Alastair Campbell's "The Blair Years" hands down as favourite summer reading among MPs!It has been picked by six times as many MPs -- and three times as many as the runner-up Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion".' The Guardian 'In William Hague, Wilberforce has found a sympathetic, judicious biographer!Hague has written the best modern study of this remarkable man.' Mail on Sunday
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