Event    From 25/3/1807  To 1/8/1834

Abolition of slavery

The British abolition of slavery came in two parts: first the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act became law on 25 March 1807, which left slavery itself still permitted until the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 which caused all slaves in the British Empire to be emancipated on 1 August 1834. The slaves in India and Ceylon were not freed until Britain took over from the East India Company in 1843.

Compensation was paid, but to the owners, not the slaves. Meticulous records were kept and have been analysed at Legacies of British Slave-ownership.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Abolition of slavery

Commemorated ati

Aboliton of slavery - SE1

{The statue stands at one end of a long composite stone slab inlaid with a de...

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Bronze Woman

This was the first statue of a black woman to be on permanent display anywher...

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Buxton Memorial Fountain

Due to strong shadows it was only on our fourth visit that we managed to take...

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Gilt of Cain - Slave trade

This sculpture, 'Gilt of Cain', was unveiled by Bishop Tutu in commemoration ...

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Holy Trinity Clapham - Clapham Sect

The damage on this plaque is the result of WW2 bombs.

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Show all 11

Other Subjects

Cecil Rhodes

Cecil Rhodes

Mining magnate and politician in southern Africa. Prime Minister of the Cape Colony 1890-96. As a businessman he founded the southern African territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia), which ...

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
St Mary Woolnoth

St Mary Woolnoth

Has a strong historical connection with the abolitionist movement of the 18th and 19th centuries.  Rev John Newton, a slave-trader turned preacher and abolitionist, was rector 1780 – 1807.  Carolin...

Building, Race Issues, Religion

1 memorial
Black Plaque Project

Black Plaque Project

An extension of the Nubian Jak Community Trust plaque scheme. It recognises black people / people of colour who were prominent in British history. The plaques are temporary, but it is planned to co...

Group, Race Issues

2 memorials
Henry Peter, Lord Brougham

Henry Peter, Lord Brougham

Born in Edinburgh. Died in Cannes, France, where, despite the plaque in Grafton Street, he apparently spent much of his last 30 years, indeed he seems to have effectively created Cannes. As a young...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, France

2 memorials
Robert Aske

Robert Aske

Son of a draper. Worked as a haberdasher; 1643 became a Freeman of the Haberdashers Company; 1666 elected an Alderman of the City of London. He became Master of the Haberdashers' Company. But the r...

Person, Philanthropy, Race Issues

1 memorial