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

Tim Campbell, MBE

Tim Campbell, MBE

Timothy Anthony Campbell MBE is a businessman best known as the winner of the first series of the British version of The Apprentice. Awarded the MBE for Enterprise Culture in the 2012 New Year’s Ho...

Person, Race Issues, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley

American writer who was the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Her name can also be given as Phillis Wheatley Peters or Phyllis or Wheatly. Born in West Africa, she was s...

Person, Gender Issues, Poetry, Race Issues, Africa, USA

1 memorial
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
Sir Hans Sloane

Sir Hans Sloane

Physician, benefactor of the British Museum and an early benefactor to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Responsible for the addition of milk to chocolate to produce a palatable drink. Born Killyleagh, Ir...

Person, Benefactor, Medicine, Museums / Libraries, Race Issues, Science, Ireland

8 memorials
Tobias Rustat

Tobias Rustat

Courtier to King Charles II and a benefactor of the University of Cambridge. He was an investor in, and Assistant (what we'd call Director) of, the Royal African Company, an English mercantile comp...

Person, Benefactor, Race Issues

2 memorials

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Robert Browning Settlement

Robert Browning Settlement

Inspired by East End schemes such as Toynbee Hall, this Settlement was established by Francis Herbert Stead (1857 – 1928, brother of W. T. Stead).  Francis was Congregationalist minister at York St...

Group, Philanthropy, Religion, Social Welfare

2 memorials
Royal Socity of Chemistry

Royal Socity of Chemistry

Formed as a merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry. It carries out research, publishes journals, books and da...

Group, Science

6 memorials
Baron Carlo Marochetti

Baron Carlo Marochetti

Born Turin. Lived in France most of his life but escaped to London in 1848. Became Victoria and Albert's favourite sculptor. Buried in France. His 1864 statue of Sir Mark Cubbon, created in London...

Person, Sculpture, France, Italy

6 memorials