John Dunmore Lang - Educational Endeavours

Educational Endeavours

Lang founded the Caledonian Academy in 1826, but it soon folded. Lang made a second visit to Britain in 1830-31 and recruited several teachers, as well as acquiring a library and equipment for a school he was to call the Australian College. It opened at the beginning of 1832 on land adjoining the Scots Church. It had considerable promise which was not realised due to Lang's lack of administrative ability and his failure to achieve more general support because of his own flaws of character and ability, particularly financial mismanagement. By 1840 it had only about 30 students. In 1842 the College became simply a day school for boys meeting elsewhere, and was no more by 1852. Lang dreamed of heading an educational institution of standing. Not surprisingly, he was a supporter of the Presbyterian Theological College, and of St Andrew's College within the University of Sydney, although he used his political influence to try and change the legislation, and hoped in 1872 to be appointed its first Principal. He was not appointed Principal and in anger stated that St Andrew's College was “conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity". His portrait does however continue to hang in the College Senior Common Room.