William Wilberforce By pee722 Aug 24, 1759 WIlliam Wilberforce is born William Wilberforce is born in Hull. Jan 1, 1780 Wilberforce becomes an MP for Hull Jan 1, 1784 Wilberforce becomes MP for Yorkshire Jan 1, 1787 Committee for abolition of slave trade formed Wilberforce is invited to push for abolishment of slave trade in parliament. Jan 1, 1788 Wilberforce starts the movement to abolish the slave trade Jan 1, 1807 Bill passed to abolish the slave trade Jan 1, 1825 Wilberforce retires Due to serious illness, William Wilburforce retired from parliament.