Artist, inspirational teacher and author, educated at Manchester Grammar School and the Slade School of Fine Art under Henry Tonks. His father was Albert Mansbridge, founder of the Workers’ Educational Association, and many pioneers of adult education, such as Bishop Charles Gore, William Temple (later Archbishop of Canterbury) and Professor R H Tawney, influenced John’s childhood. In 1929 he joined the staff of Goldsmiths’ College School of Art, after World War II being senior lecturer in painting there until his retirement in 1966. He also lectured in the history of art and architecture for London University extra-mural department. In 1969 Mansbridge published his well-received Graphic History of Architecture, resulting from 10 years’ research.