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

Joe Slovo

Joe Slovo

South African freedom fighter. Born Lithuania. His family emigrated to South Africa when he was 8. Married First in 1949. died at home in Johannesburg, as a member of Nelson Mandela's government.

Person, Nationalism, Race Issues, Lithuania, South Africa

1 memorial
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
1985 Brixton Riot

1985 Brixton Riot

It was sparked off by the shooting of Dorothy Groce by the Metropolitan Police. They were looking for her son Michael in relation to a suspected firearms offence, and believed he was hiding in his ...

Event, Race Issues, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sir Thomas Bloodworth

Sir Thomas Bloodworth

As Lord Mayor of London 1665-6 he was sorely tested and found wanting.  As the fire advanced he alone had the authority to create fire-breaks by demolishing buildings but he refused to make such an...

Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
Clementia Taylor

Clementia Taylor

Women's activist. Born Clementia Doughty at Brockdish, Norfolk. She married Peter Alfred Taylor in 1842, and they became involved with many social and political movements, particularly anti-slavery...

Person, Gender Issues, Race Issues, Social Welfare

1 memorial

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Walter Tull

Walter Tull

Footballer and army officer. Born Walter Daniel John Tull at 57 Walton Road, Folkestone. He served an apprenticeship as a printer, but turned to football as a career. He signed for Tottenham Hotspu...

Person, Armed Forces, Race Issues, Sport / Games

2 memorials
Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler

Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler

Sculptor. Born Staffordshire. Early rheumatic fever made him unfit for active service in 1914 so he served on the home front casting and moulding false limbs for amputees. Died at home in Mayfield,...

Person, Sculpture

7 memorials