James Bolivar Manson was born in London. In 1896 began studying at Heatherleys' School of Fine Art, Lambeth School of Art and in Paris at Academie Julian. Held his first solo show at Leicester Galleries in 1923. Memorial show at Wildenstein and Ferens Art Gallery in 1946. Retrospective exhibition at Malzahn Gallery in 1973. Tate Gallery and many provincial and foreign galleries hold examples of his work.