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

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass

Social reformer, writer and statesman. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, probably in his grandmother's shack in Talbot County, Maryland. He escaped from slavery and became an agent of the ...

Person, Literature, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Caribbean Islands, USA

2 memorials
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (1st Baronet)

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (1st Baronet)

MP, brewer, slave abolitionist and social reformer. Born Essex. Entered the Brick Lane brewery Truman, Hanbury & Company in 1808, eventually taking on sole ownership. 1807 married Hannah Gurney...

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink, Race Issues, Social Welfare

3 memorials
Sir Julius Wernher

Sir Julius Wernher

Co-founder and funder (with Alfred Beit) of the Royal School of Mines building. Born Damstadt, Germany, came to London in 1871, and, acting as a diamond agent, went to Kimberly in South Africa. Re...

Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues, Germany, South Africa

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
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

Previously viewed

Robert Harbin

Robert Harbin

Magician-inventor, origami pioneer. Born as Ned Williams in South Africa. Came to London aged 20. Credited with introducing origami to this country. Throughout the 1960s he had his own TV show 'Pap...

Person, Theatre, South Africa

1 memorial