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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Show all 11

Other Subjects

Sir Henry Morton Stanley

Sir Henry Morton Stanley

Explorer and journalist, born as John Rowlands at Denbigh, Wales. Illegitimate and brought up in a workhouse, he sailed to America as a cabin boy in 1859. He befriended a trader called Henry Hope S...

Person, Exploring, Journalism / Publishing, Race Issues, Seriously Famous, Africa, USA, Wales

1 memorial
Stephen Lushington

Stephen Lushington

Doctor of Civil Law, judge, MP, supporter of the campaigns for the abolition of slavery and of capital punishment.  Born Berkshire.  Died Surrey.

Person, Law, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
Sir Henry Taylor

Sir Henry Taylor

Born Bishop Middleham, County Durham. Poet, playwright and public servant. He went to sea as a young man, but after finding it did not agree with his health, took up a position in the Treasury. H...

Person, Poetry, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Theatre

1 memorial
Westminster BAME Network

Westminster BAME Network

From Westminster we understand that this is a group providing support for Black, Asian and Multiple Ethnic employees of Westminster City Council.

Group, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
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

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Alfred Frank Hardiman

Alfred Frank Hardiman

Sculptor.  Born 17 Orde Hall Street. The statue of Lord Haig is his best known work.  Ornamental Passions tells us that Hardiman also produced four pieces of the sculpture on County Hall.  Died Sto...

Person, Sculpture

2 memorials
George Eliot

George Eliot

Novelist.  Born Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire.  Pen name of Mary Ann (or Marian) Evans. Spent her first 21 years on a farm, now (2015) the Griff House Beefeater Grill restaurant on the Coventry Road...

Person, Literature, Seriously Famous

3 memorials
Sir Flinders Petrie

Sir Flinders Petrie

Archaeologist specialising in Egypt.  Born Charlton, near Greenwich.  His maternal grandfather was Captain Matthew Flinders.  Petrie was a self-taught surveyor with minimal university education. St...

Person, History, Egypt, Israel/Palestine

1 memorial