Ronald Joseph Pearsall (20 October 1927 – 27 September 2005) was an English writer whose scope included children's stories, pornography and fishing.His most famous book The Worm in the Bud (1969) was about Victorian orgies, prostitution and fetishism.
A prolific writer, his other books included three on popular music between 1837 and 1929, several on the history of sexuality and many on antiques.
He held other jobs as a shoe shop assistant, cinema manager and store detective.
His book The Table Rappers (1972) was an exposure of fraud mediums, tricksters and charlatans in Spiritualism.