User:Chocmilk03/Cecil Manson

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Cecil Manson
Born1896
England
Died (aged 91)
Occupation
  • Writer
  • journalist
  • broadcaster
  • photographer
  • artist
  • soldier
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1939)​

Cecil Murray Manson (1896–13 June 1987) was a British-born New Zealand writer, journalist, broadcaster, photographer, artist and soldier.

Life and career[edit]

Manson was born in England in 1896.[1] He was the youngest son of Frederick William Manson and his wife, both based in Wimbledon.[2] 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.[3]

He served in both World War I and World War II, first with the 4th Battalion of the Queen's Royal Regiment.[4] During the Gallipoli campaign in 1914 he met New Zealanders and decided he would like to move to New Zealand.[5] After that campaign he moved to the Royal Flying Corps,[6] where his son later said he survived nine crashes.[5] He worked in insurance and journalism between the wars.[1] In 1939 he married New Zealander Celia Manson in France.[7] Their son Hugo was born in London in 1941 and later became a freelance journalist.[5][3]

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.[5][8][9] 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][3] Manson also worked as an artist and photographer.[1][10] In 1947 he purchased the Tyree Studio in Nelson, which he renamed to Manson's Studio.[11][12] He exhibited his artwork at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts regularly between 1961 and 1979.[13] In 1962 his work was exhibited as part of the Hay's Ltd Art Competition.[14]

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".[15] In February 1987 a retrospective exhibition of his works was held by the Molesworth Gallery in Wellington.[3] He died on 13 June 1987, aged 91, four months before the death of his wife.[4][16][3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Robinson, Roger (2006). "Manson, Cecil and Cecilia". In Robinson, Roger; Wattie, Nelson (eds.). The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195583489.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-1917-3519-6. OCLC 865265749. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Engagements". The New Zealand Herald. 7 December 1938. p. 5. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Obituary: Mr Cecil Manson". The Press. 17 June 1987. p. 26. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b Manson, Bess (25 April 2019). "Anzac Day: Cecil Manson's memoir paints a picture of the horrors of war". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Rendle, Steve (10 September 2018). "Gallipoli through a father's eyes". Wairarapa Times-Age. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Manson, Cecil Murray, 1896-1981 : Papers re service in Royal Flying Corps". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Here and There". Evening Post. 20 December 1939. p. 16. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Hutt woman's WWII code-breaking role revealed". Stuff.co.nz. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Seven Days — Cecil Manson". Ngā Taonga. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Manson, Cecil Murray, 1896-1987". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  11. ^ Peters, Carol (4 March 2006). "The woman who preserved history". The Nelson Mail. p. 18. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Woollaston, Mountford Tosswill (Sir), 1910-1998 :M T Woollaston. Exhibition at Manson's Studio, Nelson. December 17th, 1948, until the New Year [Catalogue]". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Manson, Cecil". Find New Zealand Artists. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Catalogue: Exhibition of Selected Entries" (PDF). Christchurch Art Gallery. p. 4. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  15. ^ Gilmore, D.H. (27 March 1982). "Manson family double". The Press. p. 16. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  16. ^ Who's Who in New Zealand (12th ed.). Wellington, New Zealand: Reed. 1991. p. 725. ISBN 9780790001302. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
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