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

Andrea Levy

Andrea Levy

Born at the Whittington Hospital to Jamaican parents and and grew up in Twyford House on the Blackstock council estate. Best known for her novels 'Small Island' and 'The Long Song'. She wrote from ...

Person, Literature, Race Issues, Caribbean Islands

1 memorial
Sir Julius Wernher

Sir Julius Wernher

Co-founder and funder (with Alfred Beit) of the Royal School of Mines building. Born Damstadt, Germany, came to London in 1871, and, acting as a diamond agent, went to Kimberly in South Africa. Re...

Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues, Germany, South Africa

1 memorial
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
Ignatius Sancho

Ignatius Sancho

Writer, shopkeeper and socialite. Born on a slave ship bound for the West Indies (his birth year is approximate). His first name was Charles, but he was baptised Ignatius. His mother died soon afte...

Person, Commerce, Literature, Race Issues

2 memorials
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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William Robert Arnell

William Robert Arnell

Resident of Willesden who volunteered in the Anglo Boer War, 1899-1900. William Robert Arnell was born on 22 August 1877, the third of the ten children of Charles Arnell (1847-1931) and Emily Jane...

Person, Armed Forces, Medicine, South Africa

War served, Other war
1 memorial
Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle

Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle

Secretary of State for War and the Colonies 1852-54.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
South African War / Boer War

South African War / Boer War

Also known as the (second) (Anglo-)Boer War. The war is described in three phases: first: The Boer offensive (October–December 1899); second: The British offensive (January to September 1900); thir...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy, Africa

8 memorials