Arranged chronologically, except for MS. Wilberforce c. 39, loose leaves with entries omitted from the main diary sequence. When Wilberforce was unable to write in his usual diary and used these loose leaves instead, he sometimes made cross-references between the two. Some leaves referred to by him are now missing. Where the diaries and journals below fit chronologically with those in the Wilberforce family papers reference is made to the 'Catalogue of Wilberforce Family Papers', Bodleian Library, 1970.

The term 'diary' is used here to describe a volume, usually bound in stiffened papers wrappers, and the term 'leaves' to describe loose folio sheets, some of which were intended to constitute a single volume. The original pagination has been retained in some volumes. Extracts from the diaries were printed in R.I. and S. Wilberforce, The Life of William Wilberforce (London, 1838).