Lang, Cosmo Gordon (1864–1945)

Scottish churchman, archbishop of Canterbury 1928–42. He was renowned as an important reformer of the Anglican Church, and as one of the finest preachers of his day. Under his influence, the Book of Common Prayer was revised to accord with modern usage and thought, and the Church became more broadly based. He also promoted social reform at home, political change in India, and closer links between the Anglican and Nonconformist churches. While he was archbishop of Canterbury, Lang had to deal with the difficult abdication crisis, in which King Edward VIII's wish to marry a divorcee was deemed incompatible with his role as head of the Church of England.

Lang was born at Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, and educated at Glasgow University and Balliol College, Oxford. He studied law and undertook social work in the East End of London before being ordained in 1891. After occupying posts in Leeds, Oxford, Hampshire, and London, he was made archbishop of York in 1909. He became archbishop of Canterbury in 1928 on the resignation of Archbishop Davidson. On his retirement he was created Baron Lang of Lambeth. His works include The Miracles of Jesus as Marks of the Way of Life, 1900, The Parables of Jesus, 1906, and The Opportunity of the Church of England, 1906.