Region ID

Work ID

Manual Reference

Type

Title

Sculptor

Date of design

Year of unveiling

Unveiling details

Road

Precise Location

A to Z Ref

OS Ref

Postcode

Work is

Listing Status

Duty of Care

Commissioned by

Notes

Full-length marble statue of Heywood on granite pedestal. He is shown in modern clothing, waistcoat and topcoat. His hands are by his sides, the left hand placed on the top of a column on which are placed documents.…

Following Oliver Heywood's death, the call for a public statue received enthusiastic support. A large and influential memorial committee was established in April 1892 and initiated a subscription fund. The 332 subscribers who gave £2,665 provide a handy checklist of the city's late- Victorian establishment. The memorial committee decided to commission Bruce Joy to produce a marble statue to stand in Albert Square, complementing his earlier statue of John Bright. Bruce Joy agreed to the commission, informing the committee that he could complete a marble statue in two years but 'very probably 18 months', whilst promising that a small model (based on photographs of Heywood) would be ready for the committee's approval within three weeks. Bruce Joy reminded the committee that it was the usual practice to advance one-third of the commission price. In an equally businesslike manner the committee sent a telegrm to the sculptor's West Kensington studio reminded him not to mention the agreed commission price of 2,000 guineas to the press. The commission, however, did not proceed entirely smoothly as the sculptor inteneded as an accident to himself prevented him from making an early delivery. It was finally completed by the end of 1894. The statue was installed in Albert Square where, in December 1894, it was unveiled by James Moorhouse, Bishop of Manchester. The speeches at the ceremony all testified to the truthfulness of the inscription that the life of the gentle and modest Heywood had been one 'devoted to the public good.

Oliver Heywood (1825-1892) was born 9 September 1825 in Manchester, the son of the banker, Sir Benjamin Heywood. He was educated at St Domingo House, Liverpool and Eton. The Heywood family contributed greatly to the improvement of Manchester during the nineteenth century. The family's wealth was derived from banking, Heywood's Bank in St Ann's Square being one of the city's best known banks. Oliver's father, Benjamin Heywood, was a key figure in the establishment of the Manchester Mechanics' Institute and the movement to provide public parks. Oliver entered the family business in the 1840s but devoted considerable time to assisting public charities and causes on both sides of the Irwell. Education was a particular interest and the Mechanics' Institute, Working Men's College, Chetham's Hospital, Manchester Grammar School and Owen's College were among the city's educational institutions which benefited from his personal involvement. At a time when many wealthy citizens were deserting the city, failing to fulfill their public duties, Heywood's willingness to devote his time as well as money to local affairs was viewed as exemplary. Probably influenced by his father's parliamentary experience, he turned down the opportunity to serve as an MP, preferring to direct his energies towards Manchester and Salford. In 1888 his work was recognised when he was made Manchester's first Honorary Freeman. In the same year he as made High Sheriff of Lancashire. Heywood died in 1892 and was buried at St John's, Irlam-o'-th'-Heights.

circa

raw year

Condition

At risk

Inscriptions

Signatures

Statue

Marble

300cm high approx

Pedestal

Granite

320cm high x 180cm square

Biological growth

Extensive algae on statue

Bird guano

On statue

None

None