Jack Constant Lane was born on April 19, 1932, in Austin Texas. After serving three years during the Korean conflict, Lane earned a B.A. degree from Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia. As the first member of his family to complete college, he then went on to Emory University as well as to the University of Georgia, where he received his M.A. and Ph.D. respectively. 

Lane came to Rollins College in 1963 to teach American history. While at Rollins, Lane acted as chairman for several groups including the Humanities Foundation Courses and the Social Science Division. He was recognized with several awards, including the Arthur Vining Davis Fellowship Award in 1972, the Alexander Weddell Professor of the America’s Chair in 1978, and the William Blackman Medal in 1997.