John Richard Lane Anderson (17 June 1911 – 21 August 1981) was a British journalist, sailor, and prolific author. After a number of short-term jobs, including a period in the Indian Army, Anderson joined The Guardian where he remained for the rest of his career. He also produced topographical, children's, and other works but is best known for his Peter Blair and Piet Deventer mysteries, the last of which, Late Delivery, was published posthumously in 1982.