Born on 25 August 1799 at Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of William Lang, farm proprietor and ship's joiner, and his wife Mary, nee Dunmore. Educated at Glasgow University (M.A.,1820; D.D.,1825). Licensed by the Presbytery of Irvine on 1 June 1820. Ordained by the Presbytery of Irvine on 30 September 1822. Arrived at Sydney, New South Wales on 23 May 1823. Minister of the Scots National Church, Sydney. He married on 25 August 1831 on board the "Stirling Castle" at Symons Bay, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, to his cousin, Wilhelmina Mackie, daughter of William Mackie and his wife Mary, nee Lang. Thought to have first visited Port Phillip in 1841, arriving at Melbourne on 15 November 1841 per "Sea Horse" from Sydney, N.S.W. Elected Member of the Legislative Council for Port Phillip in 1843. Active in many matters and involved in many controversies. Visited the U.S.A. c1844. In Melbourne in March 1845. Visited Britain to recruit ministers and emigrants for the colonies. Arrived at Melbourne in February 1850 per "Clifton" en route from London to Sydney. Died on 8 August 1878 at 4 Jamieson Street, Sydney, N.S.W., and was buried on 10 August 1878 at the Devonshire Street Cemetery, Sydney. His remains were later transferred to the Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, N.S.W.

[death certificate; Scott Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 2); Rev. Gordon Powell; Ward & Prentis Presbyterian Ministers in Australia 1822-1901]

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