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...

Read More

Bronze Woman

This was the first statue of a black woman to be on permanent display anywher...

Read More

Buxton Memorial Fountain

Due to strong shadows it was only on our fourth visit that we managed to take...

Read More

Gilt of Cain - Slave trade

This sculpture, 'Gilt of Cain', was unveiled by Bishop Tutu in commemoration ...

Read More

Holy Trinity Clapham - Clapham Sect

The damage on this plaque is the result of WW2 bombs.

Read More

Show all 10

Other Subjects

Claudia Jones

Claudia Jones

Born Trinidad. Moved to New York where she became a Communist. Caught up in the McCarthy trials she was imprisoned and then extradited to Britain in December 1955.  Became a community organiser aft...

Person, Community / Clubs, Journalism / Publishing, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Caribbean Islands

2 memorials
Dorothy 'Cherry' Groce

Dorothy 'Cherry' Groce

Shooting victim. She was shot by the Metropolitan Police, on 28 September 1985, while they were searching for her son who was suspected of firearm offences. This led to the 1985 Brixton riot. She w...

Person, Race Issues, Tragedy, Caribbean Islands

1 memorial
Cardinal Newman

Cardinal Newman

Born 80 Old Broad Street, eldest son of a banker. Goaded into writing his Apologia by a criticism from Charles Kingsley published in a magazine.  Established The Brompton Oratory. Died Edgbaston, B...

Person, Race Issues, Religion

3 memorials
Admiral Arthur Phillip

Admiral Arthur Phillip

Founder and first governor of Australia. Born in the ward of Bread Street. Entered the Royal Navy 1753. In 1787 he led a fleet of 11 ships, with a complement of four companies of marines as well a...

Person, Armed Forces, Exploring, Race Issues, Australia

1 memorial
Universal Negro Improvement Association

Universal Negro Improvement Association

Founded by Marcus Garvey in Jamaica. It campaigned against lynching, denial of black voting rights and racial discrimination. It aimed to 'clear out' white people from Africa (maybe back in 1914 th...

Group, Race Issues, Jamaica

2 memorials