Sir William Dolben, 3rd Baronet facts for kids
Sir William Dolben, 3rd Baronet (born in 1727, died in 1814) was a British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tory party and worked very hard to end slavery.
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Who Was Sir William Dolben?
Sir William Dolben was born in Finedon, a place in Northamptonshire, England. He was the only son of Sir John Dolben, who was also a Baronet. A Baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family.
His Early Life and Education
William went to two famous schools: Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford University. He started at Oxford in 1744. In 1748, he got married to Judith English, who came from a wealthy family. When his father passed away in 1756, William became the 3rd Baronet.
His Political Career
Sir William Dolben held several important jobs before becoming an MP. In 1760, he was the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, which was a local government role. Later, in 1766, he became a verderer of Rockingham Forest, helping to manage the forest.
He first became a Member of Parliament (MP) for a short time in 1768, representing Oxford University. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. Soon after, in March 1768, he was elected as the MP for Northamptonshire and served until 1774. He then returned to represent Oxford University from 1780 until 1806. This was a very long time to be an MP!
Fighting for Change: Ending Slavery
Sir William Dolben was known as an independent MP, meaning he often voted based on his own beliefs rather than strictly following his party. He strongly supported making changes to Parliament and, most importantly, ending slavery.
How He Became an Abolitionist
One day, Sir William Dolben visited a slave ship docked in London. He was horrified by the terrible conditions he saw on the ship. The people being transported were treated very cruelly. This experience made him decide right away that he had to work to stop slavery.
The Famous Brookes Ship
The slave ship he visited was called the Brookes. The awful conditions on this ship became very well-known. Pictures and drawings of the Brookes were made and shared by Thomas Clarkson, another person who fought against slavery. These pictures helped show everyone how terrible the slave trade was.
Dolben's Bill: A Step Towards Freedom
With help from other people who wanted to end slavery, like William Pitt, Sir William Dolben introduced a new law in 1788. This law was called Dolben's Bill. It aimed to improve the conditions on slave ships and make them safer for the enslaved people. The bill passed by a large number of votes and became law as the Slave Trade Act 1788, also known as Dolben's Act. This was a big step in the fight to end slavery completely.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir William Dolben's first wife passed away in 1771. He married his second wife, Charlotte Scotchmer, in 1789. He lived a long life and passed away in 1814 at the age of 87. He was buried in Finedon church. His only son from his first marriage, John English Dolben, took over his title and estates. Sir William Dolben is remembered for his important work in helping to end the cruel practice of slavery.
