William Lane (1746 - 1814) was a British bookseller and publisher active during the late 18th century. Lan began his Circulating Library in 1774, to which people paid subscriptions. He then established the Minerva Press around 1790, which is remembered for creating a substantial market in sentimental and Gothic fiction. Two partners, Anthony King Newman and John Darling, joined the press around 1799. After Lane retired in 1804, Newman took over direction of Minerva Press, and dropped that name in favor of an 'A. K. Newman and Co.' imprint during the 1820s.