Cecil Manson Explained

Cecil Manson
Birth Name:Cecil Murray Manson
Birth Date:20 January 1896
Birth Place:London, England
Death Place:Wellington, New Zealand

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.

Life and career

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]

Selected works

Works by Manson and his wife Celia include:[1]

Manson separately authored:

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: Robinson . Roger . Robinson . Roger . Wattie . Nelson . The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature . Manson, Cecil and Cecilia . 27 July 2022 . 2006 . . 978-0-1917-3519-6 . 865265749 . 10.1093/acref/9780195583489.001.0001.
  2. Web site: Manson, Cecil Murray, 1896-1987 . National Library of New Zealand . 13 November 2023.
  3. Web site: Death search: registration number 1987/37815 . Births, deaths & marriages online . Department of Internal Affairs . 17 November 2023.
  4. News: Engagements . 28 July 2022 . The New Zealand Herald . 7 December 1938 . 5.
  5. News: Obituary: Mr Cecil Manson . 13 November 2023 . The Press . 17 June 1987 . 26.
  6. News: Manson . Bess . Anzac Day: Cecil Manson's memoir paints a picture of the horrors of war . 28 July 2022 . Stuff.co.nz . 25 April 2019.
  7. News: Rendle . Steve . Gallipoli through a father's eyes . 27 July 2022 . Wairarapa Times-Age . 10 September 2018.
  8. Web site: Manson, Cecil Murray, 1896-1981 : Papers re service in Royal Flying Corps . National Library of New Zealand . 28 July 2022.
  9. News: Here and There . 28 July 2022 . Evening Post . 20 December 1939 . 16.
  10. News: Hutt woman's WWII code-breaking role revealed . 28 July 2022 . Stuff.co.nz . 18 February 2015.
  11. Web site: Seven Days — Cecil Manson . Ngā Taonga . 28 July 2022.
  12. Web site: Manson, Cecil Murray, 1896-1987 . National Library of New Zealand . 28 July 2022.
  13. News: Peters . Carol . The woman who preserved history . 28 July 2022 . The Nelson Mail . 4 March 2006 . 18. .
  14. Web site: 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 . 28 July 2022.
  15. Web site: Manson, Cecil . Find New Zealand Artists . 28 July 2022.
  16. Web site: Catalogue: Exhibition of Selected Entries . Christchurch Art Gallery . 28 July 2022 . 4.
  17. Encyclopedia: Mortelier . Christine . Robinson . Roger . Robinson . Roger . Wattie . Nelson . The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature . Mansfield Fellowship, The . 7 January 2021 . 2006 . . 978-0-1917-3519-6 . 865265749 . 10.1093/acref/9780195583489.001.0001 . limited.
  18. News: Catherall . Sarah . Katherine Mansfield Fellowship saved by a literary whip-round . 20 October 2020 . Stuff.co.nz . 5 November 2015.
  19. News: Manson . Bess . Writing with the ghost of Katherine Mansfield . 19 October 2020 . Stuff.co.nz . 23 August 2020.
  20. News: Gilmore . D.H. . Manson family double . 13 November 2023 . The Press . 27 March 1982 . 16.
  21. Book: Who's Who in New Zealand. . 1991 . Reed . Wellington, New Zealand . 9780790001302 . 725 . 12th . 28 July 2022.
  22. Web site: Doctor Agnes Bennett / Cecil & Celia Manson ; foreword J.C. Beaglehole ; epilogue by Agnes Bennett. . National Library of New Zealand.
  23. Web site: The lonely one / Cecil & Celia Manson ; illustrated by Ian Armour-Chelu . National Library of New Zealand . 28 July 2022.
  24. Web site: The lonely one / Cecil & Celia Manson ; illustrated by Ian Armour-Chelu . National Library of New Zealand . 28 July 2022.
  25. Web site: The adventures of Johnny van Bart / Cecil & Celia Manson ; illustrated by Ian Armour-Chelu . National Library of New Zealand . 28 July 2022.
  26. Web site: The adventures of Johnny van Bart / Cecil & Celia Manson ; illustrated by Ian Armour-Chelu . National Library of New Zealand . 28 July 2022.

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