Robert Lionel Fanthorpe, born February 9, 1935, is a retired British priest and entertainer with a diverse career. He has worked as a dental technician, journalist, teacher, television presenter, and lecturer. Educated at Barnard Castle School and Hamond's Grammar School, Fanthorpe left school at 15 and married Patricia Alice Tooke in 1957. He pursued higher education through private study and correspondence courses, eventually earning a Certificate in Education with distinctions in theology and educational practice, and a BA in Arts & Social Sciences from the Open University.

Fanthorpe's professional life included teaching roles at various secondary and further education institutions in England before he moved to Cardiff, South Wales. There, he served as Headmaster of Glyn Derw High School and later as Director of Media Studies and tutor in Religious Studies at Cardiff Academy Sixth Form College. He was ordained as a non-stipendiary Anglican priest in 1987 and is also a minister of the Universal Life Church. He has authored or co-authored over 250 books, often focusing on mysteries, the supernatural, and Forteana. He has also been president of the British UFO Research Association and the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena.

Lionel Fanthorpe's extensive writing career spans several genres, with a significant portion dedicated to Forteana—the study of anomalous phenomena. He produced approximately 180 paperback novels and short-story collections, primarily in science fiction and the supernatural, for Badger Books in the 1950s and 1960s, often using various pseudonyms. His work for Badger Books sometimes involved writing stories to fit pre-existing cover art, incorporating academic and pseudo-academic details from mythologies of ancient civilizations. These narratives frequently explored themes related to unexplained events, historical mysteries, and figures such as Charles Fort, the pioneer of Fortean studies. His later collaborations with his wife, Patricia, focused on compilations of mysteries and secrets, often with titles including "mystery," "mysteries," or "mysterious," covering subjects like the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail, and Masonic lore.

Beyond his writing, Fanthorpe was a visible figure in media, particularly concerning subjects of the unexplained. He co-authored numerous books with his wife, Patricia, who also served as his agent and business partner. Together, they explored topics such as the mysteries of Rennes-le-Chateau, Oak Island, and Templar treasures. Fanthorpe also presented Channel 4's "Fortean TV" and was a frequent guest on the late-night American radio talk show "Coast to Coast AM." He also wrote and narrated episodes for BBC Radio's "The Fanthorpe Investigations." His engagement with the public extended to appearances at events like the Fortean Times magazine's "UnCon," where he lectured on subjects such as "The Knights Templar and their Ancient Secrets."

Fanthorpe's background includes a solid academic foundation and spiritual ordination. He received a Certificate in Education from Keswick Hall College, achieving distinctions in Educational Theory and Practice, and Advanced Main Theology. He also holds a BA in Arts & Social Sciences from the Open University. In 1987, he was ordained as a non-stipendiary Anglican priest in the Church in Wales. Additionally, he served as a minister for the Universal Life Church. His professional career involved significant educational roles, including Headmaster of Glyn Derw High School and Director of Media Studies and Religious Studies tutor at Cardiff Academy Sixth Form College. He was also a Fellow of the College of Preceptors and the Chartered Management Institute.