Cecil Manson | |
---|---|
Born | Cecil Murray Manson 20 January 1896 London, England |
Died | 13 June 1987 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 91)
Occupation |
|
Spouse |
Cecil Murray Manson (20 January 1896 – 13 June 1987) was a New Zealand writer, journalist, broadcaster, photographer, artist and soldier. Born in England, Manson studied art in European institutions and served as a soldier in both world wars. He moved to New Zealand with his wife Celia Manson in 1947, and together they co-authored a number of historical books, including children's books. They also helped found the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship.
Manson was born in London, England, on 20 January 1896. [1] [2] [3] He was the youngest son of Frederick William Manson and his wife, both based in Wimbledon. [4] He was educated at Repton School, [1] and studied art at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art, the Metropolitan School of Art, and the Académie Julian. [5]
He served in both World War I and World War II, first with the 4th Battalion of the Queen's Royal Regiment. [6] During the Gallipoli campaign in 1914 he met New Zealanders and decided he would like to move to New Zealand. [7] After that campaign he moved to the Royal Flying Corps, [8] where his son later said he survived nine crashes. [7] He worked in insurance and journalism between the wars. [1] In 1939 he married New Zealander Celia Manson in France. [9] Their son Hugo was born in London in 1941 and later became a freelance journalist. [7] [5]
At the time World War II broke out, Manson was in his mid-forties, and his military service involved working in military intelligence at Bletchley Park. Until the mid-1970s he told people he had worked in airforce administration due to security restrictions. [7] [10] [11] Manson and his wife moved to New Zealand in 1947, where together they co-wrote over 12 books about New Zealand history, including children's books. [1] [5] Manson also worked as an artist and photographer. [1] [12] In 1947 he purchased the Tyree Studio in Nelson, which he renamed to Manson's Studio. [13] [14] He exhibited his artwork at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts regularly between 1961 and 1979. [15] In 1962 his work was exhibited as part of the Hay's Ltd Art Competition. [16]
In 1967 Cecil and Celia visited Menton in France, and subsequently founded the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship together with Sheilah Winn. [17] [18] [19]
In 1981 he published a memoir of the first 34 years of his life, A World Away, through Pigeon Press. [1] It was published simultaneously with his wife's historical work, The Widow of Thorndon Quay, and a review in The Press said the works were both "excellently written in their respective genres as would be expected of writers of their experience and calibre". [20] In February 1987 a retrospective exhibition of his works was held by the Molesworth Gallery in Wellington. [5] He died on 13 June 1987, aged 91, four months before the death of his wife. [6] [21] [5]
Works by Manson and his wife Celia include: [1]
Manson separately authored:
Cecil Manson | |
---|---|
Born | Cecil Murray Manson 20 January 1896 London, England |
Died | 13 June 1987 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 91)
Occupation |
|
Spouse |
Cecil Murray Manson (20 January 1896 – 13 June 1987) was a New Zealand writer, journalist, broadcaster, photographer, artist and soldier. Born in England, Manson studied art in European institutions and served as a soldier in both world wars. He moved to New Zealand with his wife Celia Manson in 1947, and together they co-authored a number of historical books, including children's books. They also helped found the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship.
Manson was born in London, England, on 20 January 1896. [1] [2] [3] He was the youngest son of Frederick William Manson and his wife, both based in Wimbledon. [4] He was educated at Repton School, [1] and studied art at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art, the Metropolitan School of Art, and the Académie Julian. [5]
He served in both World War I and World War II, first with the 4th Battalion of the Queen's Royal Regiment. [6] During the Gallipoli campaign in 1914 he met New Zealanders and decided he would like to move to New Zealand. [7] After that campaign he moved to the Royal Flying Corps, [8] where his son later said he survived nine crashes. [7] He worked in insurance and journalism between the wars. [1] In 1939 he married New Zealander Celia Manson in France. [9] Their son Hugo was born in London in 1941 and later became a freelance journalist. [7] [5]
At the time World War II broke out, Manson was in his mid-forties, and his military service involved working in military intelligence at Bletchley Park. Until the mid-1970s he told people he had worked in airforce administration due to security restrictions. [7] [10] [11] Manson and his wife moved to New Zealand in 1947, where together they co-wrote over 12 books about New Zealand history, including children's books. [1] [5] Manson also worked as an artist and photographer. [1] [12] In 1947 he purchased the Tyree Studio in Nelson, which he renamed to Manson's Studio. [13] [14] He exhibited his artwork at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts regularly between 1961 and 1979. [15] In 1962 his work was exhibited as part of the Hay's Ltd Art Competition. [16]
In 1967 Cecil and Celia visited Menton in France, and subsequently founded the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship together with Sheilah Winn. [17] [18] [19]
In 1981 he published a memoir of the first 34 years of his life, A World Away, through Pigeon Press. [1] It was published simultaneously with his wife's historical work, The Widow of Thorndon Quay, and a review in The Press said the works were both "excellently written in their respective genres as would be expected of writers of their experience and calibre". [20] In February 1987 a retrospective exhibition of his works was held by the Molesworth Gallery in Wellington. [5] He died on 13 June 1987, aged 91, four months before the death of his wife. [6] [21] [5]
Works by Manson and his wife Celia include: [1]
Manson separately authored: