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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Bronze Woman

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

Read More

Buxton Memorial Fountain

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

Read More

Gilt of Cain - Slave trade

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

Read More

Holy Trinity Clapham - Clapham Sect

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

Read More

Show all 11

Other Subjects

Cesar Picton

Cesar Picton

Former slave and businessman. Born in Senegal, (his birth year is approximate). At the age of about six, he was bought and taken to England, where he was presented as a servant to Sir John Phillipp...

Person, Commerce, Race Issues, Africa

1 memorial
George Hibbert

George Hibbert

Merchant and politician. Born in Manchester. Along with Robert Milligan, he was the driving force behind the creation of the West India Docks. MP for Seaford from 1806 to 1812. Helped found the Roy...

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
William Dockwra

William Dockwra

Merchant who along with his partner Robert Murray created the first Penny Post in London in 1680. He was also an independent slave trader who attempted to break the monopoly that the Royal African ...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
William Hesketh Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme

William Hesketh Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme

Soap magnate and philanthropist, founder of Port Sunlight, near Liverpool. Born 6 Wood Street, Bolton, Lancashire. Known for his patronage of the arts and paternalistic social policies, he was also...

Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues

1 memorial