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

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

7 memorials
Granville Sharp

Granville Sharp

Anti-slavery campaigner.  Born Durham.  1757 became Clerk in the Ordnance Office.  Became involved with the anti-slavery campaign by a personal involvement with an injured slave, Jonathan Strong, a...

Person, Law, Race Issues

1 memorial
Black Music Congress, etc.

Black Music Congress, etc.

A number of groups related to black music history seem to have come and gone; it's difficult to disentangle them. These links were working in 2021: Black History Month, IRDUK (mentioned on the post...

Group, Community / Clubs, Music / songs, Race Issues

1 memorial
King James II

King James II

England's last Roman Catholic king, James II of England but James VII of Scotland. Born in St James's Palace and designated Duke of York until he ascended the throne in 1685 on the death of his bro...

Person, Race Issues, Royalty, France

8 memorials
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

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Borough of St Marylebone

Borough of St Marylebone

Created in 1900 from the parish of St Marylebone.  In 1965 it joined Paddington, and Westminster to form the City of Westminster.

Group, Politics & Administration

4 memorials