Little is known about Lanyon's personal life except that he was an Englishman of Cornish stock born in the United States in 1887. He was educated in the USA, France, and England, and served as interpreter and foreign correspondent. For decades he traveled all over the world, investigating and studying the various presentations of Christian-based mystical teachings. He traveled and lectured all over the world. His lectures were based, he said, "solely on the revelation of Jesus Christ."

While most of his writings are now out of print, those still available are heralded largely by proponents of New Thought Movement, due mainly to Lanyon's message of self-reliance and the seeking of "Christ consciousness" within.

In addition to his books, Lanyon was credited with having written two light operas as well as several secular stories, plays and articles, all of which are now lost. This is also true of paintings he is said to have exhibited in Europe and the USA.

Lanyon died in California on July 4, 1967 at the age of 79.