Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lane, William
LANE, WILLIAM (1746–1819), portrait draughtsman, was born in 1746, and commenced his career as an engraver of gems in the manner of the antique, exhibiting works of that class at the Royal Academy from 1778 to 1789. Between 1788 and 1792 he engraved a few small copperplates, including portraits of Mrs. Abington and the Duke and Duchess of Rutland after Cosway, and Charles James Fox after Reynolds. 1785 lane exhibited some crayon portraits, and later became a fashionable artist in that style; his drawings were slightly executed in hard coloured chalks, and admired for their accuracy as likenesses. He was patronised bu the prince regent and many of the nobility, and from 1797 to 1815 was a large contributor to the exhibitions. A few of Lane’s works have been engraved; in 1816 was engraved his portrait Sir James Edward smith, M.D. F.R.S., by Frederick Christian Lewis [q. v.] He died at his house in the Hammersmith Road, London, 4 Jan. 1819.
Anna Louisa Lane, who was Lane's wife or sister, sent miniatures to the Academy in 1775, 1781, and 1782.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Gent. Mag. 1819, i. 181; Royal Acad. Catalogues.]