George Cannon

George Cannon (1789–1854) was an English solicitor, radical activist and publisher and pornographer who also used the pseudonyms Erasmus Perkins and Philosemus.

Around 1812 he became associated with freethinking discussion groups in London and in 1815 he edited, as "Erasmus Perkins", and in which "Perkins" published extracts from Queen Mab: his relationship with Shelley was somewhat hostile. and was also a friend of Daniel Isaac Eaton.

In 1822 he was publishing obscene anti-establishment parodies and satires; by 1830 his publications were sheer pornography in 1830 he was convicted of obscene libel for publishing a French-language edition of de Sade's Juliette. His pornographic publications specialised in flagellation with such titles as The Birchen Bouquet, Exhibition of Female Flagellants and, as "Philosemus", Venus School-Mistress.

Cannon died in 1854 and his widow continued his publishing business.