An Original Handwritten and Signed Letter by British politician, philanthropist, and a Leader of the Movement to Abolish the Slave Trade William Wilberforce. Dated 1816 from Lowestoft, to an unidentified correspondent (name cut away at foot), regretting he cannot help in connection with colonel Burgess ‘of whom I entertain a very high opinion’, William Wilberforce 1759 – 1833 was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. Wilberforce has also been described as a humanitarian reformer who contributed to reshaping the political and social attitudes of the time by promoting concepts of social responsibility and action. Size is 175mm x 110mm. Condition is good. With folding crease. Light age toning. Small loss to base edge. Opening loss to edges.