About Wilberforce Central

The "triangular trade" of the 18th century was a substantial component of the economy of Britain, its West Indian possessions and its American colonies, though it came at the horrible expense of enslaving untold numbers of Africans.

This diagram and description of the Liverpool-based slave ship, Brookes, shows the number and placement of Africans in the ship's hold, contrary to the legal regulations of the slave trade. The layout, based on Thomas Clarkson's information, was given as evidence before Parliament as argument against the slave trade.

Wilberforce Central is a private, non-profit alliance established to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British and the U.S. slave trade (1807-2007) with a celebration of the William Wilberforce and the Clapham Group that were the leaders in abolishing the slave trade 200 years ago and an examination of the legacy of Wilberforce and the Clapham Group today in dealing with today's issues and making a better world.

Major events during 2007 include a major motion picture Amazing Grace, the television documentary The Better Hour, concerts, a Wilberforce Global Forum, conferences and prizes. There will also be events before 2007 and afterwards.

The organization is supported by a coalition of like-minded organizations:

• Gilder-Lehrman Center

• Set All Free

• Trinity Forum

• Walden Media

• Wilberforce Central

• Wilberforce Forum

• Wilberforce House Museum

• Wilberforce Institute

• Wilberforce University

Click here to visit our coalition page.