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

League of coloured peoples

League of coloured peoples

Founded by Doctor Harold Moody. A civil-rights organisation with the aim of racial equality around the world. Although its primary purpose was black rights in Britain, it was also involved in other...

Group, Community / Clubs, Race Issues

1 memorial
John Richard Archer

John Richard Archer

Political activist. Born at 3 Blake Street, Liverpool. He travelled the world as a seaman, living in Canada and the USA, before eventually settling in Battersea, where he opened a photographic stud...

Person, Photography, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Canada, USA

2 memorials
Newman Hall

Newman Hall

Non-conformist minister and hymn writer. Born Maidstone, Kent as Christopher Newman Hall. 1854 became minister of Surrey Chapel. Promoted the abolition of slavery and in 1867 visited North America,...

Person, Music / songs, Race Issues, Religion

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
Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji

The first Asian elected to the House of Commons, representing Central Finsbury for the Liberal Party from 1892 - 1895. This was 4 years after the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, had said that black...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, India

1 memorial

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Thankful Owen

Thankful Owen

Non-conformist minister. Born in the City of London. President of St John's College, Oxford 1650-60. Chosen to succeed Thomas Goodwin, when he died in 1680, as pastor of the Independent congregatio...

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Lloyd Hall

Lloyd Hall

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched this young man: Lloyd Richard Hall was born on 28 November 1960 and died, aged 20 years, on 18 January 1981 in a fire at party being held at 439 New Cros...

Person, Tragedy

2 memorials
Peggy Jay

Peggy Jay

Born in Manchester as Margaret Christian Garnett, great niece of Samuel Palmer. Aged about 6 her family moved to Hampstead. 1934-67 Labour member of the LCC/GLC. Married Douglas Jay (who had litera...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Basil Hume

Basil Hume

Born Newcastle upon Tyne. Cardinal. Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 until his death. President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales from 1979 until his death, at the Hospita...

Person, Religion

3 memorials
Terrence Higgins Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust

A charity named for Terrence Higgins, one of the first people to die from the AIDS virus in Britain. It campaigns on and provides services relating to HIV and sexual health. A plaque at 333 Old Str...

Group, Social Welfare

1 memorial