The Old Man Who Lived to See It

On July 26, 1833, a frail and nearly blind William Wilberforce lay in his bed on Cadogan Place, London. For forty-six years he had fought to end slavery in the British Empire. He had introduced bill after bill in Parliament, endured ridicule, weathered death threats, and watched vote after vote fail. Friends urged him to rest. Critics told him the cause was hopeless.…