his own public record of charity and public service, Heywood never took a career in politics seriously. Heywood was admired for his subtle disposition and his high qualities of competence and generosity. It was only natural that Heywood was offered the parliamentary seat for Salford as the liberal candidate on multiple occasions; he turned the whole proposition down, flattered. Legacy In 1888, Heywood's public work and sacrifice was acknowledged by the city of Manchester making him the city's first Honorary Freeman. On 17 March 1892, he died in his home. He was buried at St. John's church in Pendlebury. The funeral ceremony was vast and impressive: The bishops of Guildford and Manchester both conducted the service where thousands of people showed up to pay their respects and 150 carriages were used. On the afternoon of Heywood's funeral, shops in Irlams O' Th' Height and Pendlebury closed in his honour. It was decided to erect a marble statue in commemoration and to place it in Albert Square, Manchester. The commission was given to Albert Bruce-Joy, with the £2600 cost being met by contributions from 332 donors. Bruce-Joy had previously sculpted a statue of John Bright in Albert Square and the committee overseeing the Heywood memorial believed that his statue of Heywood would complement that of Bright. It was unveiled in December 1894 and bears the inscription that his life was one "devoted to the public good". Honours First Honorary Freeman of the City of Manchester, 1888 Memorial in Salford unveiled on 20 October 1893 A grade II listed statue by Albert Bruce-Joy stands in Albert Square, Manchester, unveiled 1894. References Statue of Oliver Heywood, Albert Square, Manchester; Terry Wyke; Revealing Histories; 2014 Report of death, The Manchester Evening News, 17 March 1892 Notice of death, Supplement to the Manchester Courier, 19 March 1892 Grade II listed buildings in Manchester English bankers English philanthropists 1825 births 1892 deaths People educated at Eton College Younger sons of baronets High Sheriffs of Lancashire People from Irlam 19th-century British philanthropists 19th-century English businesspeople