John Lang (writer)

John Lang was an Australian lawyer and was Australia's first native born novelist, who studied law in England and returned to Australia in 1837 as barrister, and permanently migrated to India in 1842 where he established successful newspapers and also had a successful career as the writer and barrister with high-profile clients such as the Lakshmibai - the Rani of Jhansi. He died in India and is buried in India at Mussoorie's Camel's Back Cemetery.

Early life and education

Lang was born at Parramatta, Sydney, Australia, second and posthumous son of Walter Lang, merchant adventurer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Harris.
Lang was educated at Sydney College under William Timothy Cape. He went to Cambridge in March 1837 returned to Australia after qualifying as a barrister.

Career

In India

As barrister

A few months later he permanently migrated to India in 1842 and worked as a barrister. He took on high-profile clients such as the Rani of Jhansi in her battles against the British East India Company.

Death

Lang died in the hill station of Mussoorie, India, and is buried in Camel's Back Cemetery, which enjoys a wide vista of the Lower Western Himalaya, which Lang loved greatly. His grave had been lost for almost a century until it was sought out and discovered by the writer Ruskin Bond.