The BeanUtils class provides property setter methods that accept String values, and automatically convert them to appropriate property types.
The BeanUtils class relies on conversion methods defined in the ConvertUtils class to perform the actual conversions, and these methods are available for direct use as well.
For dates the DateConverter does not support default String to 'Date' conversion, you will have to register an instance of DateConverter configured with a pattern suitable for the date format you are using, for example:
DateConverter converter = new DateConverter( null );
converter.setPattern("dd/mm/yyyy");
ConvertUtils.register(converter, Date.class);
BeanUtils.setProperty(obj, "date", "07/04/2014");