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 generally took a conservative position on matters of domestic security, free trade and the constitution. However, he was fiercely independent and would side with opposition politicians like Brougham, Petty-Fitzmaurice or Romilly to achieve his idealistic goals. Wilberforce was well-liked: Lawrence's unfinished portrait was said to capture 'the intellectual power and winning sweetness of the veteran statesman'.