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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Other Subjects

Olaudah Equiano

Olaudah Equiano

Born in an African village, he was sold into slavery, first locally, then in England, then in America where he managed to buy his freedom. He returned to England and wrote the first autobiography o...

Person, Literature, Race Issues, Africa

6 memorials
Bill Richmond

Bill Richmond

Boxer. Born a slave in Richmondtown, Staten Island, New York. He become a servant of Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland, a lieutenant-general in the British army, and it is presumed that he bec...

Person, Race Issues, Sport / Games, USA

1 memorial
Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich

Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich

Infantry officer, naval officer and politician. Born Northamptonshire. Patron and good friend to Pepys. Fought on behalf of Cromwell's Commonwealth first in the army and then as a General at Sea.  ...

Person, Armed Forces, Race Issues

1 memorial
Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford

Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford

Statesman. Harley Street was named after him. Responsible for the creation of the South Sea company and was the first governor. This company later became a major player in the Atlantic slave trade.

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
Universal Negro Improvement Association

Universal Negro Improvement Association

Founded by Marcus Garvey in Jamaica. It campaigned against lynching, denial of black voting rights and racial discrimination. It aimed to 'clear out' white people from Africa (maybe back in 1914 th...

Group, Race Issues, Jamaica

2 memorials

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Colin MacRae

Colin MacRae

Co-churchwarden of St Jude's in 1871. He was born in 1805 in Scotland. On 10 June 1847 he married Ann Reader (1823-1897) in St Peter and St Paul Church, East Milton Road, Milton-Next-Gravesend, Ke...

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Scotland

1 memorial