Lionel Fanthorpe

Last updated


Lionel Fanthorpe
Lionel Fanthorpe 2013.jpg
Fanthorpe in 2013
Born (1935-02-09) 9 February 1935 (age 89)
NationalityBritish
Education Barnard Castle School
Hamond's Grammar School
Alma mater Open University
Occupations
  • teacher
  • author
  • priest
  • presenter
SpousePatricia
ChildrenTwo

Robert Lionel Fanthorpe, FCollP, FRSA, FCMI (born 9 February 1935 [1] ) is a retired British priest and entertainer. Fanthorpe also worked as a dental technician, journalist, teacher, television presenter, author and lecturer. Born in Dereham in Norfolk, he lives in Cardiff in South Wales, where he served as Director of Media Studies and tutor/lecturer in Religious Studies at the Cardiff Academy [2] [3] Sixth form college. [2] [3]

Contents

Biography

Lionel Fanthorpe was educated at Barnard Castle School and Hamond's Grammar School in Swaffham. [4] He left school aged 15 and married Patricia Alice Tooke (born 1938) in 1957. For a period he worked as a journalist on the Norfolk Chronicle and then as a van driver and warehouseman at Hamerton's Stores in Dereham, taking his A-levels by private study at home and by correspondence courses. [5] He attended the teacher-training course at Keswick Hall College in Norwich between 1961 and 1963, where he achieved Distinctions in Educational Theory and Practice and in Advanced Main Theology [6] as part of his Certificate in Education. [7]

Fanthorpe was a schoolmaster at Dereham Secondary Modern School from 1958 to 1961 and again from 1963 to 1967, and a Further Education Tutor based at Gamlingay Village College from 1967 to 1969. [7] He was Industrial Training Manager for the Phoenix Timber Group of Companies in Rainham from 1969 to 1972, Head of English and then Deputy Headteacher at Hellesdon High School near Norwich from 1972 to 1979, and Headmaster of Glyn Derw High School in Cardiff from 1979 to 1989. [3] He has a BA in Arts & Social Sciences from the Open University. He was ordained as a non-stipendiary [8] Anglican priest in the Church in Wales in 1987, [3] is also a minister of the Universal Life Church, [9] and was also at one time a Freemason in Bowers Lodge in Norwich. [10]

He is the author or co-author of more than 250 books. [2] [11] He has been president of the British UFO Research Association and is the president of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena. [2] He presented Channel 4's Fortean TV [11] [12] and has made many appearances at Fortean Times magazine's UnCon, [13] most recently in October 2004 when he gave a talk on "The Knights Templar and their Ancient Secrets". He is a Fellow of the College of Preceptors [6] and the Chartered Management Institute. [2]

He is a member of the high IQ society Mensa [11] and the paranormal research society the Ghost Club. [2] In addition, Fanthorpe is a Dan Grade martial arts instructor and a weight-training instructor. He has been a frequent guest of the late night American radio talk show Coast to Coast AM.

Fanthorpe was Director of Media Studies and teacher of Religious Studies at the Sixth form college the Cardiff Academy [2] [3] in Cardiff in South Wales. In 2013 he appeared in the Yesterday series Forbidden History presented by Jamie Theakston.

Family life

Lionel and Patricia Fanthorpe Lionel-Patricia-Fanthorpe.jpg
Lionel and Patricia Fanthorpe

Fanthorpe's wife Patricia is also his agent, manager and business partner. Moreover, they co-authored a number of books, [2] including Rennes-le-Chateau: Its Mysteries and Secrets (1991), The Oak Island Mystery: The Secret of the World's Greatest Treasure Hunt (1995), The World's Most Mysterious People (Mysteries and Secrets) (1998), Mysteries of Templar Treasure and the Holy Grail: The Secrets of Rennes Le Chateau (2004), Mysteries and Secrets of the Templars: The Story Behind the Da Vinci Code (2005), Mysteries and Secrets of the Masons: The Story Behind the Masonic Order (2006), Satanism & Demonology: Mysteries and Secrets (2011), The Joan of Arc Mysteries (2019), Garan of the Veneti (2019), Parables of the Pond (2019), Earth, Sky and Sea (2019) and Thoughts and Prayers for Stressful Times (2019).

Today, the couple live in Roath in Cardiff. They have two daughters, Stephanie Dawn Patricia Fanthorpe (born 1964), and Fiona Mary Patricia Alcibiadette Fanthorpe (born 1966). [6]

Television, radio and film appearances

Television

YearTitleRole
1997 Fortean TV Presenter [14]
1999The Real NostradamusPresenter [14]
I'll See You When I Get TherePresenter [14]
St Nectan's GlenPresenter [14]
2000Castles of HorrorPresenter [15]
Stations of the CrossPresenter [14]
Lamarr's AttacksHimself [16]
Encounters with the UnexplainedHimself
2001Holy QuizPresenter [14]
2002The Marvellous HandshakeHimself
2003Talking StonesPresenter [14]
2004 This Morning Himself [14]
2005 The Heaven and Earth Show Himself
2006 Comedy Lab Himself
2006The Omen: Prophecy Fulfilled, documentaryHimself
2008BloodlineHimself [14]
Unexplained with George NooryHimself
2013Forbidden History, Season OneHimself
2014Forbidden History, Season TwoHimself
Secrets of the BibleHimself
Ancient Aliens Himself
2016Forbidden History, Season ThreeHimself

Radio

Lionel Fanthorpe wrote and narrated several episodes of The Fanthorpe Investigations for BBC Radio (Sounds). [17]

Writing

Fanthorpe's output can be grouped under three broad headings, as follows:

Badger Books

Fanthorpe began working for Badger Books in the early 1950s, and over the period of the next 15 years produced many books under different pseudonyms, some of which were pen-names shared with other of Badger Books' writers. [13] [18] These included: Victor La Salle, John E. Muller, and Karl Zeigfreid. Pseudonyms exclusive to Fanthorpe's short story output include Neil Balfort, Othello Baron, Noel Bertram, Oben Leterth, Elton T. Neef, Peter O'Flinn, René Rolant, Robin Tate, and Deutero Spartacus. Names he used for novels include Erle Barton, Lee Barton, Thornton Bell, Leo Brett, Bron Fane, L.P. Kenton, Phil Nobel, Lionel Roberts, Neil Thanet, Trebor Thorpe, Pel Torro, and Olaf Trent. [6] Using several of these pen names, he would often even write the entire contents of a pulp magazine such as "Supernatural Stories".

The exact number of books and stories Fanthorpe wrote for Badger Books is not known, but is estimated to be in excess of 180, 89 of which were written in a three-year period – an average of a 158-page book every 12 days. [19]

During his time at Badger Books, Fanthorpe was essentially a small cog in a large publishing machine. [19] The way the company worked was to acquire the cover art before the book was written, and send it to the author who then had to write a story about the cover. In some cases, Badger Books re-used cover art that had been produced to illustrate completely different novels. For example, Fanthorpe's 1960 novel Hand of Doom was written to suit a cover that had been produced to illustrate John Brunner's Slavers of Space, which formed one-half of Ace double D-421. [20]

Although generally based on situations and plots familiar from pulp fiction, the novels and stories also used academic and pseudo-academic facts to fill out their background, including the mythology of Ancient Egypt (The Eye of Karnak ), Babylon (Unknown Destiny), India (Vengeance of Siva ) and Greece (Negative Minus).

The stories also demonstrate the author's interest in Fortean subjects, such as vimanas (The Negative Ones), Chase Vault and the Devil's Footprints (U.F.O. 517), the disappearances of Benjamin Bathurst (Time Echo) and the crew of the Mary Celeste (Barrier 346), as well as the career of Charles Fort himself (The X-Machine). Another novel that discusses Charles Fort explicitly (both in the text and in the back-cover blurb) is Forbidden Planet. This latter novel has no connection with the famous film of the same title, but instead describes a vast interstellar chess game played by superhuman entities using human beings as pawns.

Other novels are pastiches of accepted works of the Western CanonBeyond the Void is a loose rewrite of Shakespeare's play The Tempest , and in Negative Minus the characters Suessydo and Epolenep re-enact Homeric tales.

Wordcatcher Publishing

As of 2019, Lionel and his wife began writing for Wordcatcher Publishing, a publishing house based in Cardiff, Wales. [21] So far, under this partnership, they have released the historical fiction titles The Joan of Arc Mysteries [22] and Garan of the Veneti, [23] in addition to multiple books in the 'Thoughts and Prayers' series. [24] Alongside these are a collection of poems, Earth, Sea and Sky, [25] plus a children's book called Parables of the Pond, [26] the latter of which was published under the Auxillium Press imprint.

Related Research Articles

The Saint is the nickname of the fictional character Simon Templar, featured in a series of novels and short stories by Leslie Charteris published between 1928 and 1963. After that date, other authors collaborated with Charteris on books until 1983; two additional works produced without Charteris's participation were published in 1997. The character has also been portrayed in The Saint franchise, which includes motion pictures, radio dramas, comic strips, comic books, and three television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Fort</span> American writer (1874–1932)

Charles Hoy Fort was an American writer and researcher who specialized in anomalous phenomena. The terms "Fortean" and "Forteana" are sometimes used to characterize various such phenomena. Fort's books sold well and are still in print. His work continues to inspire admirers, who refer to themselves as "Forteans", and has influenced some aspects of science fiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crime fiction</span> Genre of fiction focusing on crime

Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a crime, often a murder. It is usually distinguished from mainstream fiction and other genres such as historical fiction or science fiction, but the boundaries are indistinct. Crime fiction has several subgenres, including detective fiction, courtroom drama, hard-boiled fiction, and legal thrillers. Most crime drama focuses on crime investigation and does not feature the courtroom. Suspense and mystery are key elements that are nearly ubiquitous to the genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Frank Russell</span> English science fiction writer

Eric Frank Russell was a British writer best known for his science fiction novels and short stories. Much of his work was first published in the United States, in John W. Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction and other pulp magazines. Russell also wrote horror fiction for Weird Tales and non-fiction articles on Fortean topics. Up to 1955 several of his stories were published under pseudonyms, at least Duncan H. Munro and Niall(e) Wilde.

<i>Foucaults Pendulum</i> 1988 Italian novel by Umberto Eco

Foucault's Pendulum is a novel by Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco. It was first published in 1988, with an English translation by William Weaver being published a year later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Charteris</span> British-Chinese author

Leslie Charteris, was a British-Chinese author of adventure fiction, as well as a screenwriter. He was best known for his many books chronicling the adventures of his hero Simon Templar, alias "The Saint".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Sharpe Shaver</span> American writer and conspiracy theorist (1907–1975)

Richard Sharpe Shaver was an American writer and artist who achieved notoriety in the years following World War II as the author of controversial stories that were printed in science fiction magazines. In Shaver's story, he claimed that he had had personal experience of a sinister ancient civilization that harbored fantastic technology in caverns under the earth. The controversy stemmed from the claim by Shaver, and his editor and publisher Ray Palmer, that Shaver's writings, while presented in the guise of fiction, were fundamentally true. Shaver's stories were promoted by Ray Palmer as "The Shaver Mystery".

<i>Fortean Times</i> British monthly magazine devoted to anomalous phenomena

Fortean Times is a British monthly magazine devoted to the anomalous phenomena popularised by Charles Fort. Previously published by John Brown Publishing, I Feel Good Publishing, Dennis Publishing, and Exponent (2021), as of December 2021 it is published by Diamond Publishing, part of Metropolis International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owlman</span> Creature in Cornish folklore

In Cornish folklore, the Owlman, sometimes referred to as the Cornish Owlman, or the Owlman of Mawnan, is an owl-like humanoid creature said to have been seen in 1976 in the village of Mawnan, Cornwall, UK. Reported sightings of it flying above the church tower have led some to believe the creature may have been a barn owl, a species that commonly nests in such places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Lyon-Bowes, Master of Glamis (born 1821)</span>

Thomas Lyon-Bowes was the first child of Thomas Lyon-Bowes, Lord Glamis, and his wife Charlotte Lyon-Bowes née Grimstead, great-grandparents of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who became queen consort in 1936. Although Thomas is recorded in Robert Douglas' Peerage of Scotland as "born and died, October 21, 1821," rumours began to circulate during the late 19th century that the child had been born deformed, and had therefore been brought up in seclusion hidden away in Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland, giving rise to the soubriquet of the Monster of Glamis, or the Horror of Glamis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Reppion</span> English comics writer

John Mark Reppion is an English comics writer. He is married to Leah Moore, the daughter of Alan Moore, and he has worked with both on the comic Albion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Ness Monster in popular culture</span>

The Loch Ness Monster is a creature from folklore that has appeared in popular culture in various genres since at least 1934. It is most often depicted as a relict dinosaur or similar, but other explanations for its existence such as being a shapeshifter or from outer space also appear. It is only occasionally portrayed as threatening, despite its name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricia Kennealy-Morrison</span> American writer (1946–2021)

Patricia Kennealy-Morrison was an American author and journalist. Her published works include rock criticism, a memoir, and two series of science fiction/fantasy and murder mystery novels. Her books are evenly divided between the series The Keltiad and The Rock&Roll Murders: The Rennie Stride Mysteries.

<i>Enter the Saint</i>

Enter the Saint is a collection of three interconnected adventure novellas by Leslie Charteris first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder and Stoughton in October 1930, followed by an American edition by The Crime Club in April 1931.

<i>The Last Hero</i> (The Saint) 1930 novel by Leslie Charteris

The Last Hero is the title of a thriller novel by Leslie Charteris that was first published in the United Kingdom in May 1930 by Hodder and Stoughton and in the United States in November 1930 by The Crime Club. The story initially appeared in The Thriller, a British magazine, in 1929. Because of this somewhat convoluted publishing history, The Last Hero is occasionally cited as the second volume of adventures featuring the crime-busting antihero Simon Templar, alias The Saint, predating Enter the Saint. In fact, according to Charteris himself, it was the third book of the series. This is supported by references to the events of Enter the Saint within the novel.

<i>Saint Errant</i>

Saint Errant is a collection of short stories by Leslie Charteris, first published in 1948 by The Crime Club in the United States and in 1949 by Hodder and Stoughton in the United Kingdom. This was the 28th book to feature the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint", and the first Saint short story collection since 1939's The Happy Highwayman. Several of the stories were based upon the then-current Saint comic strip, while the story "Judith" was first published in 1934.

<i>Salvage for the Saint</i>

Salvage for the Saint is the title of a 1983 mystery novel featuring the character of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint". The novel was written by Peter Bloxsom, based on the two-part Return of the Saint episode "Collision Course" by John Kruse, but as was the custom at this time, the author credit on the cover went to Leslie Charteris, who created the Saint in 1928, and who served in an editorial capacity.

Badger Books was an imprint used by the British publisher John Spencer & Co. between 1960 and 1967. Badger Books were published in a number of genres, predominantly war, westerns, romance, supernatural and science fiction. The best-known author of Badger Books is Lionel Fanthorpe, who wrote a large proportion of the supernatural and science fiction titles.

<i>Typewriter in the Sky</i> 1940 science fantasy novel by L. Ron Hubbard

Typewriter in the Sky is a science fantasy novel by American writer L. Ron Hubbard. The protagonist Mike de Wolf finds himself inside the story of his friend Horace Hackett's book. He must survive conflict on the high seas in the Caribbean during the 17th century, before eventually returning to his native New York City. Each time a significant event occurs to the protagonist in the story he hears the sounds of a typewriter in the sky. At the story's conclusion, de Wolf wonders if he is still a character in someone else's story. The work was first published in a two-part serial format in 1940 in Unknown Fantasy Fiction. It was twice published as a combined book with Hubbard's work Fear. In 1995 Bridge Publications re-released the work along with an audio edition.

Albert Ostman was a Canadian prospector who reported that he was abducted by a Sasquatch and held captive for six days. He stated that the event took place near Toba Inlet, British Columbia in 1924.

References

  1. Reginald, Robert (1970). Stella Nova: The Contemporary Science Fiction Authors. Unicorn.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fanthorpe's Official Website Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Fanthorpe's Profile on the Cardiff Academy website Archived 7 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Fanthorpe on The Writers of Wales Database Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Alex Hamilton (2012). Writing Talk: Conversations with Top Writers of the Last Fifty Years. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 63. ISBN   978-1-78088-339-7.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Robert Reginald (2009) [1970]. Contemporary Science Fiction Authors. Wildside Press LLC. p. 307. ISBN   978-1-4344-7857-3.
  7. 1 2 R. Reginald; Mary A. Burgess; Douglas Menville (September 2010) [1979]. Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature. Vol. 2. Wildside Press LLC. p. 894. ISBN   978-0-941028-78-3.
  8. Fanthorpe interviewed on the Oak Island Treasure website Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Fanthorpe's Profile on the ULC website
  10. Fanthorpe, Lionel & Patricia, Mysteries and Secrets of the Masons Publisher: Dundurn Group Ltd (2006)
  11. 1 2 3 Fortean TV, Unexplained Mysteries (27 May 2007)
  12. Fortean TV on Internet Movie Database
  13. 1 2 'An Interview With Rev Lionel Fanthorpe' - 'Mysterious Britain & Ireland' website Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Famthorpe on the British Film Institute website
  15. Castles of Horror on Locate.tv website Archived 20 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  16. Lamarr's Attacks on the Internet Movie Database
  17. "BBC Radio 4 Extra - the Fanthorpe Investigations - Episode guide".
  18. Fanthorpe on Peltorro.com
  19. 1 2 "Lionel Fanthorpe Introduction Page". Lionel Fanthorpe Appreciation Page.
  20. http://people.uncw.edu/smithms/D-series/D-421.jpg [ dead link ]
  21. "Home". Wordcatcher Publishing. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  22. "The Joan of Arc Mysteries". Wordcatcher Publishing. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  23. "Garan of the Veneti". Wordcatcher Publishing. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  24. "Christian Thoughts And Prayers Archives". Wordcatcher Publishing. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  25. "Earth, Sea and Sky". Wordcatcher Publishing. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  26. "Parables from the Pond". Wordcatcher Publishing. Retrieved 4 December 2020.

Further reading