John Lane (metallurgist)
Encyclopedia
Dr John Lane was an 18th century doctor and metallurgist
, who is said to have experimented with making metallic zinc
, probably without result.
He studied at the Exeter College, Oxford
and medicine at Leiden in 1702. He married Elizabeth Pollard, heiress of Marsh Baldon
, Oxfordshire
in 1713, who survived him, only dying in 1771 at the age of 83.
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 partenrship was dissolved in 1716. In 1717 Lane and Pollard established the Llangyfelach
copper
works at Landore
near Swansea
, but became bankrupt in 1726, a victim of the South Sea Bubble. His works "near Swansea", held for a long term of years, were advertised for sale in May 1727. The Llangefelach Works were subsequently used by Lockwood Morris & Co
.
In addition, at some stage he had a stamping mill at Kidwelly
, on the site later used for Kidwelly
Tinplate Works. His partner had copper mines in Cornwall
.
Lane seems to have lived at Bristol
, where he was practising medicine by 1702. He participated in commercial life there, for example investing in a privateer
ing venture from there in 1708 and in 1714 in the proposed navigation to Bath, for which see River Avon (Bristol). 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.
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
, who is said to have experimented with making metallic zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
, probably without result.
He studied at the Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
and medicine at Leiden in 1702. He married Elizabeth Pollard, heiress of Marsh Baldon
Marsh Baldon
Marsh Baldon is village and civil parish about southeast of Oxford in Oxfordshire.-Parish church:The Church of England parish church of Saint Peter dates from the 12th century. Its 14th century bell tower has a ring of five bells, the oldest of which was cast by John White of Reading in about...
, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
in 1713, who survived him, only dying in 1771 at the age of 83.
In 1694, Lane and John Pollard (possibly his step father-in-law) became partners of Thomas Collins in copper works at Neath Abbey
Neath Abbey
Neath Abbey was a Cistercian monastery, located near the present-day town of Neath in southern Wales, UK.It was once the largest abbey in Wales. Substantial ruins can still be seen, and are in the care of Cadw...
, but the partenrship was dissolved in 1716. In 1717 Lane and Pollard established the Llangyfelach
Llangyfelach
The village of Llangyfelach is located in the City and County of Swansea, Wales, UK. Llangyfelach is situated about 4 miles north of the centre of Swansea, just west of Morriston. It falls within the Llangyfelach ward. To the west is open moorland....
copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
works at Landore
Landore
Landore is the name of an electoral ward, a community in the City and County of Swansea, Wales, UK. The community does not have a community council....
near Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, but became bankrupt in 1726, a victim of the South Sea Bubble. His works "near Swansea", held for a long term of years, were advertised for sale in May 1727. The Llangefelach Works were subsequently used by Lockwood Morris & Co
George Lockwood Morris
Sir George Lockwood Morris, 8th Baronet was a Welsh industrialist and iron founder. As a youth he was also notable as an international rugby union forward who won five caps for Wales...
.
In addition, at some stage he had a stamping mill at Kidwelly
Kidwelly
Kidwelly is a town in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, approximately north-west of the main town of Llanelli.It lies on the River Gwendraeth Fach above Carmarthen Bay. The town is twinned with French village St Jacut de la Mer.-History:...
, on the site later used for Kidwelly
Kidwelly
Kidwelly is a town in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, approximately north-west of the main town of Llanelli.It lies on the River Gwendraeth Fach above Carmarthen Bay. The town is twinned with French village St Jacut de la Mer.-History:...
Tinplate Works. His partner had copper mines in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
.
Lane seems to have lived at Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, where he was practising medicine by 1702. He participated in commercial life there, for example investing in a privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
ing venture from there in 1708 and in 1714 in the proposed navigation to Bath, for which see River Avon (Bristol). Despite his bankruptcy, he was able to lease a house in College Green, Bristol
College Green, Bristol
College Green is a public open space in Bristol, England. The Green takes the form of a segment of a circle with its apex pointing east, and covers...
in 1728 and continued to practise medicine with a good reputation.