author
Robert Heywood
1786–1868
A Bolton industrialist, civic leader, and traveler, he left behind a vivid record of early 19th-century life and one memorable journey across the Atlantic. His story connects local history, philanthropy, and firsthand travel writing in an appealing way.
2 Audiobooks
A Journey to America in 1834
by Robert Heywood
A Journey in Russia in 1858
by Robert Heywood
About the author
Born in Bolton in 1786, he became part of the town's well-known Heywood family and joined the successful textile firm John Heywood and Son, founded with his father. Contemporary local history sources describe him as a businessman, philanthropist, and traveler, and also note his education in Bolton and his long involvement in public life there.
He played an important role in civic affairs in Bolton, serving as the town's second mayor in 1839–40 and later as a councillor and alderman. Local historical records portray him as one of the figures who helped shape modern Bolton during a period of rapid industrial growth.
He is also remembered for his travel journal A Journey to America in 1834, a firsthand account of his visit to the United States. That book has helped preserve his voice for later readers, offering a direct and readable glimpse of how an English traveler saw America in the 1830s.