John Lane (c. October 1678 – 1741) was an 18th-century medical doctor and metallurgist, who is said to have experimented with making metallic zinc, probably without result.
In 1694, Lane and John Pollard (possibly his step father-in-law) became partners of Thomas Collins in copper works at Neath Abbey, but the partnership was dissolved in 1716.
[2] In 1717 Lane and Pollard established the Llangyfelach copper works at Landore near Swansea,[3] but became bankrupt in 1726,[4][5][6] a victim of the South Sea Bubble.
He participated in commercial life there, for example investing in a privateering venture from there in 1708 and in 1714 in the proposed navigation to Bath, for which see River Avon (Bristol).
[6] Despite his bankruptcy, he was able to lease a house in College Green, Bristol in 1728 and continued to practise medicine with a good reputation.