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

Rev. John Venn

Rev. John Venn

Clergyman and anti-slavery campaigner.  Born Clapham, son of the vicar at the time.  1792, under John Thornton's will, appointed rector of Clapham, a post he held until his death and where he was a...

Person, Race Issues, Religion

2 memorials
Empire Windrush

Empire Windrush

Liner, built in Hamburg with the name 'Monte Rosa' as a luxury cruise ship. Many of the passengers in the early days were privileged members of the Nazi Party. She saw active service in WW2 and was...

Vehicle, Race Issues, Transport, Germany, Jamaica

8 memorials
Ruy Barbosa

Ruy Barbosa

Born Ruy Barbosa D'Oliveira in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. A defender of civil liberties, he fought for the abolition of slavery in Brazil. He fled to London after being accused of being a conspirat...

Person, Journalism / Publishing, Law, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Brazil

1 memorial
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
International Reggae Day

International Reggae Day

From Caribbean National Weekly: "Reggae fans across the globe celebrate the rich legacy of reggae music today, July 1, as International Reggae Day (IRD). Honoring the genre’s rich history while cel...

Event, Music / songs, Race Issues

1 memorial