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

Doctor Harold Moody

Doctor Harold Moody

Physician. Born Harold Arundel Moody at 8 Rum Lane, Kingston, Jamaica. Although well qualified, he was refused a post at King's College Hospital because of his colour, but became a medical superint...

Person, Medicine, Race Issues, Jamaica

2 memorials
William Ewart Gladstone

William Ewart Gladstone

Born in Liverpool. Liberal Prime Minister four times. One of the Commissioners for the Great Exhibition. Queen Victoria moaned that "He speaks to me as if I were a public meeting". Caroline's Misce...

Person, Jack the Ripper suspects, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Seriously Famous

10 memorials
David Hartley

David Hartley

Politician and inventor of fireproofing systems. Born in Bath, he moved to London where he met and became close friends with Benjamin Franklin. As an MP, he represented Kingston-upon-Hull and becam...

Person, Engineering, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, USA

2 memorials
Leslie Hutchinson

Leslie Hutchinson

Singer and pianist who performed under the name of 'Hutch'. Born Leslie Arthur Julien Hutchinson in Gouyave, Grenada.  He moved to New York with the intention of studying medicine, but started sing...

Person, Music / songs, Race Issues, Caribbean Islands, USA

1 memorial
Charles Grant

Charles Grant

Anti-slavery campaigner.  Born Scotland.  Made a fortune working for the British East India Company of which he became Chairman.  The death of two of his children brought about a religious conversi...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Religion, Scotland

1 memorial