The papers include speeches, personal correspondence, and correspondence and documents relating to Lane Publishing Co., producers of Sunset Magazine, books, and films.

Laurence William Lane Jr. often known as Bill Lane (November 7, 1919 - July 31, 2010) was an American magazine publisher and philanthropist. Bill Lane graduated from Stanford University in 1942. The Lane family owned and published Sunset Magazine. As their father (who died on February 20, 1967) phased himself out of the business, Bill took over the magazine publishing and brother Melvin (1922–2007) managed the book business. The Lane publishing business was sold to Time Warner in 1990. Bill Lane was the first mayor and one of the founders of Portola Valley, California, in 1964. From 1975–1976 he served as US Ambassador-at-large and lived in Japan. From 1985 to 1989 he was appointed US Ambassador to Australia and Nauru. The Lanes sponsored an internship program at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. In 2005 a donation to Stanford University endowed the multidisciplinary Center for the Study of the North American West. The Center reflects Lane's own interests, including involvement with cultural and environmental issues in the West.

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