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.

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

International Reggae Day

International Reggae Day

From Caribbean National Weekly: "Reggae fans across the globe celebrate the rich legacy of reggae music today, July 1, as International Reggae Day (IRD). Honoring the genre’s rich history while cel...

Event, Music / songs, Race Issues

1 memorial
John Williams

John Williams

"Martyred" missionary. Born Tottenham. Trained as a foundry worker and mechanic. In 1817 the London Missionary Society sent him and his wife to the Pacific Islands where they took the good word to ...

Person, Race Issues, Religion, Tragedy, Pacific Islands

1 memorial
Horatio, Lord Nelson

Horatio, Lord Nelson

Born in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk. Naval commander who became a national hero as a result of his victories in the battle of the Nile (1798) and the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). He was mortally wounded...

Person, Armed Forces, Race Issues, Seriously Famous

16 memorials
William Beckford, Alderman

William Beckford, Alderman

Lord Mayor of London 1762 and 1769. Born Jamaica. Inherited a fortune from the family slave-based business. Lived at 22 Soho Square (the house has been demolished) from 1751 until his death while t...

Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Jamaica

1 memorial
Sybil Phoenix OBE

Sybil Phoenix OBE

Born Sybil Theodora Phoenix Marshall in British Guiana (now Guyana). Community worker, the first black woman to be awarded the MBE, in 1973. Was Mayor of Lewisham. See EachOneTeachOne for more info.

Person, Community / Clubs, Race Issues

1 memorial