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

Voltaire

Voltaire

Born in Paris as Francois Marie Arouet. Adopted the name Voltaire aged 24. The traditional story is that the intolerance of Catholic France forced this free-thinker to escape to the land of liberty...

Person, Literature, Race Issues, Seriously Famous, France

1 memorial
Sir Robert Viner (or Vyner)

Sir Robert Viner (or Vyner)

Lord Mayor of London, 1674-5.  Born Warwick.  Goldsmith and banker.  Lived at  Swakeleys House in Ickenham, where a school is named for him.  Died Windsor. Involved in the slave trade.

Person, Lord Mayor, Race Issues

2 memorials
Royal Society

Royal Society

Also known as the Royal Society of London (for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge). A learned society for science, granted a royal charter by King Charles II.  Wren was a founding member. The Soc...

Group, Community / Clubs, Race Issues, Science

4 memorials
Elizabeth Jesser Reid

Elizabeth Jesser Reid

Founder of Bedford College, anti-slavery activist and philanthropist. Her Wikipedia page is very informative. Elizabeth Jesser Sturch was born on 15 December 1789 in the St Clement Danes district...

Person, Education, Gender Issues, Philanthropy, Race Issues

1 memorial
Charles Grant

Charles Grant

Anti-slavery campaigner.  Born Scotland.  Made a fortune working for the British East India Company of which he became Chairman.  The death of two of his children brought about a religious conversi...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Religion, Scotland

1 memorial

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James Braidwood

James Braidwood

Firefighter. Born Edinburgh where he formed the world's first municipal fire brigade. In 1832 he became the first Superintendent of the London Fire Engine Establishment, the precursor to the London...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy, Scotland

2 memorials
William Morris Co-Operative Society

William Morris Co-Operative Society

Wimbledon Labour Hall Co-operative Society Limited was registered in 1921.  We understand this formal organisation is also known as the William Morris Co-Operative Society and was formed to manage ...

Group, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Girdlers' Hall

Girdlers' Hall

First built in 1431, destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666, rebuilt in 1681, and again destroyed by enemy action in 1940.The picture shows the pillared portico of the old Girdlers' Hall, 1830.Girdle...

Building, Liveries & Guilds

1 memorial
Anglo-Argentine Society

Anglo-Argentine Society

Founded in London. Its main objectives are the cultural interchange between Great Britain and Argentina and  building strong social and creative ties between both communities.

Group, Community / Clubs, Argentina

1 memorial
First cinema in Britain

First cinema in Britain

It was in Regent Street that a film was first played to a paying audience in Britain, whereas King's Hall Picture Palace is thought to have been the first purpose-built cinema in Britain.

Event, Cinema, France

2 memorials