Born in De Sable, Lane grew up in California where he was educated and called to the bar in 1886. Having worked in journalism and in law, he entered politics as a Democrat. Appointed to the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1906 he was the tireless champion of the public against big business. Secretary of the Interior in Wilson’s cabinet he was particularly interested in conservation and better treatment for Indians. Despite his earlier anti-corporate radicalism, he became Vice-President of Pan-American Petroleum in 1920. His published speeches and letters attracted wide attention. He died at Rochester, Minnesota.