Chapter 33: Britain abolishes slavery.

Led by William Wilberforce, Prime Minister Grey and his Chancellor, Henry Brougham, Britain frees its slaves on July 26, 1833. To compensate slave owners – many among the nation’s elites — the Exchequer sets aside L 20 million sterling, about 40% of the Crown’s annual budget. Some 800,000 are released at an average expense of about $250 per person.