Lang, Rev. John Dunmore, 1799 – 1878

Rev. John Dunmore Lang (1799-1878), clergyman, parliamentarian and educationalist, was born at Greenock, Scotland, son of William and Mary Lang. He was educated at the University of Glasgow where he graduated Master of Arts (1820) and was licenced to preach as a Presbyterian minister in 1820. He emigrated to Sydney in 1822, arriving in May 1823. He was welcomed by the Presbyterian community, previously without a clergyman, but immediately came into conflict with the authorities when he requested assistance in building a church.

In 1824 Lang returned to England where he obtained a doctorate of divinity and persuaded the government to provide him with an annual stipend. He returned to Sydney and at various times became involved in friction with the colonial authorities, dissenting Presbyterians, and elements of the Church of England. Lang returned to England in 1830 embarked on a campaign to encourage emigration to Australia. He selected about one hundred and forty Scottish tradesmen and members of the clergy to emigrate. He established the Australian College (1831-1854) and started a weekly paper, Colonist, in 1834.

Lang returned to England on a number of occasions to encourage emigration believing that the morality of the colony would improve with free settlers. He was a strong opponent of transportation. Lang was a republican in the early 1850s and in 1850 was one of the founders of the Australia League to encourage a sense of national identity.

Lang was elected a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for West-Sydney (1859-1869). [ref:ADB 2]