William Wilberforce Bird (2 July 1758 – 19 April 1836), merchant, civil servant and author, was the Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1796 to 1802.[1] His main career came later in South Africa.
The son of John Bird and Judith Wilberforce, he was born in Coventry. He was a cousin of the philanthropist William Wilberforce, with whom he shared an interest in the well-being of slaves. He arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, in 1807 where he founded the Cape Philanthropic Society. In 1810, he was appointed Controller of Customs, a civil service position he retained until his death. His knowledge of finance and management were useful to the many bodies on which he served. He drew up the Colony's game laws, using his legal expertise. Transporting cargo in his own ships, particularly with St. Helena and Mauritius, he was involved in the import and export trade of the colony. A confidant of Lord Charles Somerset, governor of the Cape Colony, he never a subservient 'yes'-man.
The controversial book The State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822, was written anonymously by Bird. Covering in detail the system of government at the Cape, the law courts, the burgher senate, registration of slaves, agriculture, trade and the customs of the population, he was highly critical of the way in which such ceremonies as weddings and funerals were conducted.
Bird married first, in 1779, Elizabeth Bird, and second, in 1782, Penelope Wheler, daughter of Charles Wheler and Lucy Strange, and by Penelope had several children.[2] His eldest son, William Wilberforce Bird, was the Deputy-Governor of Bengal Presidency and later the acting Governor-General of India. William Wilberforce Bird died in Cape Town 19 April 1836.
Referencesedit
^R. G. Thorne, ed., The History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1790-1820, 5 vols. (London, 1986), 3:208-10; W.J. de Kock et al., eds., Dictionary of South African Biography, 4 vols. (Cape Town, 1968-81), 1:77-78.
^Edward J. Davies, "Some Connections of the Birds of Warwickshire", The Genealogist, 26(2012):58-76; R.G. Thorne, ed., The History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1790-1820, 5 vols. (London, 1986), 3:208-10; William Betham, The Baronetage of England, 5 vols. (London, 1801-05), 2:162.
william, wilberforce, bird, merchant, william, wilberforce, bird, july, 1758, april, 1836, merchant, civil, servant, author, member, parliament, coventry, from, 1796, 1802, main, career, came, later, south, africa, john, bird, judith, wilberforce, born, covent. William Wilberforce Bird 2 July 1758 19 April 1836 merchant civil servant and author was the Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1796 to 1802 1 His main career came later in South Africa The son of John Bird and Judith Wilberforce he was born in Coventry He was a cousin of the philanthropist William Wilberforce with whom he shared an interest in the well being of slaves He arrived at the Cape of Good Hope South Africa in 1807 where he founded the Cape Philanthropic Society In 1810 he was appointed Controller of Customs a civil service position he retained until his death His knowledge of finance and management were useful to the many bodies on which he served He drew up the Colony s game laws using his legal expertise Transporting cargo in his own ships particularly with St Helena and Mauritius he was involved in the import and export trade of the colony A confidant of Lord Charles Somerset governor of the Cape Colony he never a subservient yes man The controversial book The State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822 was written anonymously by Bird Covering in detail the system of government at the Cape the law courts the burgher senate registration of slaves agriculture trade and the customs of the population he was highly critical of the way in which such ceremonies as weddings and funerals were conducted Bird married first in 1779 Elizabeth Bird and second in 1782 Penelope Wheler daughter of Charles Wheler and Lucy Strange and by Penelope had several children 2 His eldest son William Wilberforce Bird was the Deputy Governor of Bengal Presidency and later the acting Governor General of India William Wilberforce Bird died in Cape Town 19 April 1836 References edit R G Thorne ed The History of Parliament The House of Commons 1790 1820 5 vols London 1986 3 208 10 W J de Kock et al eds Dictionary of South African Biography 4 vols Cape Town 1968 81 1 77 78 Edward J Davies Some Connections of the Birds of Warwickshire The Genealogist 26 2012 58 76 R G Thorne ed The History of Parliament The House of Commons 1790 1820 5 vols London 1986 3 208 10 William Betham The Baronetage of England 5 vols London 1801 05 2 162 Parliament of Great BritainPreceded bySir Sampson EardleyJohn Eardley Wilmot Member of Parliament for Coventry1796 1800 With Nathaniel Jefferys Succeeded byParliament of the United KingdomParliament of the United KingdomPreceded byParliament of Great Britain Member of Parliament for Coventry1801 1802 With Nathaniel Jefferys Succeeded byNathaniel JefferysFrancis William Barlow Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Wilberforce Bird merchant amp oldid 1060644057, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
