In 1938, Lings went to Basle to make Schuon's acquaintance. Western orientalists who enjoyed his writings include Martin Lings. It is now in the benefice of Nettleham with Riseholme and Grange de Lings. It was founded through the efforts of Herbert Dixon and Scott Lings in 1897. The Lotidae are a family of cod-like fishes commonly known as lings or rocklings. In attendance was Martin Lings (with whom he became particularly close). After the Emergency, the land was sold to the Lings. Lings was born in Burnage, Manchester, in 1909 to a Protestant family. Soon after arriving in Cairo, his friend died and Lings began studying Arabic. In addition to his writings on Sufism, Lings was a Shakespeare scholar. Thereafter, Lings remained Schuon's disciple and expositor for the rest of his life.