U.S. History: Biographies

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military Further reading

James Henry Lane

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

James Henry Lane 1814–66, American politician, called the "liberator of Kansas." He was probably born in Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he practiced law. Lane commanded an Indiana regiment in the Mexican War and was lieutenant governor (1849–53) and Congressman (1853–55). Having voted for the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), he moved to Kansas, where he soon joined the free-state forces and united their several factions. He was president of the convention at Topeka (1855) that framed a free-state constitution and set up a state government, with himself as Senator-elect. After the Senate refused to admit Kansas under this constitution, Lane traveled throughout the Old Northwest, encouraging antislavery men to emigrate to Kansas. He led the free-state militia in subsequent armed clashes with proslavery troops and directed the campaign by which his party won control of the territorial legislature. When Kansas was granted statehood (1861), Lane was chosen one of its first Senators. A friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln, he aided the Union cause both in the Senate and in the army. Lane supported President Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction policy, thus losing political support in Kansas. Depressed by this and other events, he shot himself.

Bibliography: See biographical study by K. E. Bailes (1962).

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Lane, James Henry

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Copyright

Lane, James Henry (1833–1907) Confederate army officer, born in Mathews Court House, North Carolina. He led a brigade at the battles of Fredericksburg (1862) and Chancellorsville (1863), and in the Wilderness to Petersburg Campaign (1864). He also took part in the siege of Richmond (1864) and was present with Robert E. Lee's army at its surrender at Appomattox (1865). Early in the war he had led his North Carolina regiment at the battle of Malvern Hill and in the Seven Days' battles (both 1862). After participating in the capture of Harpers Ferry and the battles of Second Bull Run and Antietam (all 1862), his regiment formed the rear guard of the retreating Confederate Army.

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"Lane, James Henry." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-LaneJamesHenry.html

"Lane, James Henry." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-LaneJamesHenry.html

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