Lambeth

The Florence Nightingale museum is located in Lambeth.

Lambeth in the 1800’s was very different from how it is today, in fact it was a part of Surrey and was known as the village of Clapham.

Lambeth has strong links with the Abolition of slavery. It was the home of a key campaigner, William Wilberforce. He led a group of like minded residents of Clapham wanting the liberation of slaves. They became known as the ‘Clapham Sect’ which ultimately were responsible for the abolition legislation being passed through Parliament in 1807.

As the Clapham Sect’s campaign heightened the people of Lambeth began to support the slave trade more and more. The village of Clapham was situated close to the centre of London and had access to the coast ports, so was a chosen area for many Bankers and Shippers.

Two such residents of Clapham were George Green, a slave-ship retailer and also Christopher Baldwin, an Antigua born plantation owner, who both had a strong interest in keeping the slave trade active for their businesses.

The links with Lambeth and slavery were unique because of the many pro and anti views of slavery, for such a small area of London. There were many conflicting views amongst the people of the community.

Many of the Clapham Sect’s campaigns did not stop at the 1807 Abolition passing; instead many of the group persevered with the vision of freedom for all slaves around the world. Campaigning continued through the 1820s and 1830s. 

Unfortunately there is still a need for anti-slavery campaigns today. Antislavery International, a direct offspring of the Clapham Sects British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, is still based in Lambeth to this day.

To find out more about the history of Lambeth contact Lambeth Archives:

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