Former University English Professor Cecil Lang passed away Feb. 15 at the age of 82.
Lang taught at the University from 1965 to 1991 and was an acclaimed scholar of Victorian non-fiction in the English Department. He had been suffering from renal failure.
Lang received an MA from Duke University and obtained a Ph.D. in English Literature from Harvard University.
English Prof. Jerome McGann, one of Lang's lifelong friends, emphasized his contributions to the University and intellectual community.
"Lang was a startlingly selfless teacher," McGann said. "I think everybody who encountered him as a teacher, both as graduate and undergraduate, was marked by his influence. His basic principle as a teacher was to try to get out of the individual person the best that they could do."
Lang's social influence also will be missed greatly.
"He is a very distinguished scholar," English Department Chair Michael Levenson said. "He is a very life affirming, witty and social man. He was a lot of fun to be with, even though he was a very serious scholar."
McGann said Lang greatly influenced his life.
"I have known [Lang] since 1961," McGann said. "I was a reporter in Syracuse and took a class with him and basically he changed my life. At that point I wasn't at all involved in University life and he persuaded me to go to school full time and go and get a Ph.D. and he helped me along the way."
The effectiveness of Lang's teaching abilities was reflected in his receptive and generous principles, McGann said.
"He really wasn't the kind of person who imposed his ideas, he added. "He wanted you to be clear about who you are and to realize your own powers to the greatest capacity."
Colleagues say Lang's consistency and devotion to his studies best describe his motivation. His efforts and dedication were evidenced by his renowned accomplishments.
"He was probably the most distinguished editor of Victorian non-fiction materials in the world," McGann said.
Lang's wife Violette reminisced about their relationship and his personal contributions. She fondly remembered their 51-year marriage.
"We went to London often for his career and scholarship, but we always went to Paris for pleasure," Violette Lang said.
In addition to his academic credentials, Lang served the United States military during World War II in the Pacific.
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