Whittlesey, William, archbishop of Canterbury, is supposed to have been a native of Wliittlesey, a town situated in the County of Cambridge, and received his education at the University of Cambridge. In 1349 he became master custos of his college, the third in succes- sion from the founder. In 13G1 William Whittlesey was consecrated to the see of Rochester, and on Oct. 11, 1308, he found himself primate of all England and met- ropolitan by order of the pope. It seems that he was neither physically nor intellectually adequate to the exigencies of his position or the requirements of the time. His government was weak. The condition of the Church troubled him greatly. He felt deeply his incapacity to take his proper place in the country. However, to Whittlesey belongs the merit of having put an end to the disputes which frequently arose be- tween the University of Oxford and the bishop of Lin- coln. He died in June, 1374. See Hook, Lives of the Archbishops of Canterbury, iv, 221 sq,
Wicklif. See Wycliffe.
Wilberforce, Samuel, D.D., an English prelate,
son of William Wilberforce, was born at Clapham, Sept. 7, 1805. He graduated at Oriel College, Oxford, in 1820 ; became curate of Chickeuden, Oxfordshire, in 1828 ; rec- tor of Brixton (Brightstone), Isle of Wight, in 1830 ; select preacher before the University of Oxford in 1837; rector of Alverstoke, Hants, archileacon of Surrey, and chaplain to prince Albert, all in 1839; canon of Win- chester Cathedral in 1840; sub-almoner to the queen in 1844; dean of Westminster and select preacher be- fore the University of Oxford in 1845; bishop of Ox- ford, to which is attached the office of chancellor of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, in November of the same year; lord high almoner to the queen in No- vember, 1847, and bishop of Winchester in October, 1809. He was killed by a fall from his horse while riding near Dorking, July 19, 1873. He was one of the ablest debaters in the House of Lords, and for his versatility of opinions was known as " Slippery Sam." He was very popular in the highest society, was a lead- er of the High-Church party, but an opponent of Rit- ualism. He was the author of. Note Book of a Country Clergyman (1833): — Eucharistica (1839): — History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ainerica (1844): — Heroes of Hehreio History (1870) : — and many other miscellaneous works, including sermons, charges, sto- ries, etc.
Wilberforce, William, an English philanthro- pist, was born at Hull, Aug. 24, 1759. His father was a merchant of that city, descended from the ancient Yorshire familj' of Wilberfoss. He first attended the grammar-school at Hull; but on the death of his father, in 17G8, he was transferred to the care of his uncle, who placed him in a school at Wimbledon. While at this school his aunt, who was an ardent admirer of White- field's preaching, first led him to the contemplation of the truths of religion; but, at the same time, impressed upon him her peculiar views. His mother, fearing lest he should become a Methodist, removed him from the care of his uncle and placed him in the Pocklinjton Grammar-school, in Yorkshire, where his serious impres- sions were soon dissipated in a life of ease and gayety. In October, 1776, he entered St. John's College, Cam- bridge, being only seventeen years of age. He grad- uated in 1781, and almost immediately thereafter was elected member of Parliament from Hull. He now came to London, and entered at once into the first socie- ty. He was elected a member of the most fashionable clubs, and became intimate with the leading wits and politicians of the day. He had formed an intimacy with Pitt while at Cambridge which now became still closer. In Parliament he took but little part in the de- bates, but was generally opposed to Lord North's ad- ministration, and particularly adverse to the American War. In 1784, while delivering an address before the freeholders of York, they suddenly decided to have him for their representative, and he was returned to Parlia- ment from this the largest county, in England. He made a tour on the Continent during 1784-85 with Mr. Pitt and the Rev. Isaac Milner, whose influence, coupled with the reading of the New Test, and Doddridge's Rise and Progress, awakened in him those serious im- pressions which had been implanted by his aunt at Wimbledon, and fixed in him the determination to de- vote his life to God and humanity. On his return to England he began to devote liiraself to all reforms which opportunity permitted. But in 1787 he began a series of efforts for the reformation of manners, the sup- pression of vice and immorality, and esjiecially for the abolition of the African slave-trade. He opened the debate against the traffic in IMay, 1789, and, during all the period that followed until the accomplishment of this great result, never lost sight of the one object of his public career. He continued to rf|)rescnt York un- til 1812, from which time until 1825 lie was representa- tive from Bramber. From the English Cyclopcedia (Biog. Div. vi, GOO, 601) we quote the account of his efforts against the slave-traffic : •
WILBRORD
986
WILEY
"Relying more upon the Inimnue and religions feel- ings oftlie country than upon jjarlianientary support, lie availed himself ofthe agency of a society of which Gran- ville 81iarp was the president, and Thomas Clarkson the nireut. 'I'linniirliout the stiiiuule, which lasted twenty years, Mr. Wilherforce was indefatigable. Year afier year his hopes were deferred. Thwarted at one time by the protracted examination of witnesses, outvoted at others, now in the Commons, now in the Lords, he never flinched from a renewal of the contest. In Parliament he sup- ported his cause by many admirable si)eeches, and by a diligent collection and sifting of evidence. Out of Parlia- ment he never lost siuht of llie same great object. lu his conversation and his letters lie conciliated the support of all parties. Cabinet minislers, op|)osilion members, the clergy of all shades of opinion, and his own familiar friends were alike solicited to advance the cause of aboli- tion. . . .