century association biographical archive

Earliest Members of the Century Association

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Louis Lang

Artist

Centurion, 1849–1893

Born 29 February 1812 in Waldsee, Württemberg, Germany

Died 6 June 1893 in New York (Manhattan), New York

Buried Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

Proposed by Thomas P. Rossiter

Elected 3 November 1849 at age thirty-seven

Archivist’s Note: Although somewhat self-conscious about his writing abilities as a foreign-born artist in a society filled with accomplished literary figures, he composed two enlightening early histories of the Century that are available at Reminiscences of the Century Association, 1847–1891 and Art History of the Century Association, 1847–1880.

Century Memorial

The name of Louis Lang brings to mind the old history of The Century, with its traditions, its glories, its revels and its old time charm. He was one of our oldest members, to whom, it will be recalled, we sent a message of sympathy during his illness a year ago. No man ever enjoyed The Century more than he, for he breathed its very spirit, and was redolent of its atmosphere. In all its early history he was prominent in arranging its festivals; and was untiring in his attention to its artistic displays.

As a member of the Art Committee for many years, he grudged neither time nor labor in his devotion to arranging the details of its receptions and exhibitions. He had the gentlest and sweetest of natures; was childlike in his simplicity and trust; artistic in his tastes; kindly and generous in his disposition; and was never so much at home as when, surrounded by his old friends at the Club fireside, he beamed upon them with a glow as genial as that of the fire itself.

Henry E. Howland
1894 Century Association Yearbook