James Bolivar Manson (1879-1945) was an artist and worked at the Tate gallery for 25 years, including serving as its director from 1930 to 1938. Although his art policies were more advanced than previously at the Tate and embraced Impressionism, he stopped short of accepting newer artistic movements like Surrealism and German Expressionism. He retired on the grounds of ill health and resumed his career as a flower painter until his death.