Robert Heywood (1786-1868), was the son of John Heywood, a cotton quilt manufacturer. The firm of John Heywood and Son was founded in 1803. Robert is now best known as the writer of several travelogues, diaries and letters, including: A Journey to Italy in 1826, A Journey to America in 1834, A Journey to the Levant in 1845 and A Journey in Russia in 1858.