Dr. Thomas Mortimer Yule 'Mortie' Manson was an author, editor, scholar and Shetland Islands Councillor. His father Thomas Manson, publisher and author, his mother Margaret Elizabeth Lillias (neé Crutwell), . 'Mortie' was the fifth of five children and was musical like his father. He worked in T & J Manson, eventually editing the Shetland News until the firm's demise. In retirement he was a very popular member on Shetland Islands Council and active in public life generally. As 'T. M. Y. Manson', he was author of scholarly articles and popular works alike. Manson organised the first Viking Congress in Lerwick in 1950. In recognition of his achievement Aberdeen University gave him the degree of doctor of laws. He received a tribute volume on his 80th birthday: Essays in Shetland history : heiđursrit to T.M.Y. Manson, edited by Barbara Crawford, 1984. Tom died on the 23rd of January, 1996 at the Viewforth Eventide Home, Lerwick, and is buried in Knab Road Cemetery. His great grandfather, Gilbert Tait, was a Lerwick Town Councillor for 25 years. He unsuccessfully contested the Sandwick seat at the 1978 Shetland Islands Council election.
