Norman Lynravn was the fourth child of Jens Sorensen Lyng (q.v.). He was educated at the Central School, Caulfield, North Melbourne High and he gained a BA from Canberra University College in 1937. He was first employed as a clerk with the Federal Capital Commission in Canberra, later transferring to the Parliamenatary Library. Wanting to establish a career in his own right, he changed his surname from Lyng to Lynravn in 1938 .
In 1941 he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force and was posted to 2nd/14th Light Field Ambulance, later moving to the Australian Army Education Service, where he served in Papua New Guinea until 1945, eventually becoming a lieutenant.
He worked for many years in various roles for the National Library of Australia, was a foundation member of the Australian Institute of Librarians and was a regular contributor to professional literature and the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
