If there's anyone you'd want on your team in a game of Trivial Pursuit, it's Lord Acton of England. Lord Acton (who prefers to be called just plain old Johnny) is what you might call a 21st-century Renaissance man. He's a writer, a food lover, a self-described pig enthusiast and an all-round specialist in weird and little-known facts. The 44-year-old British baron has written 13 books on a wide range of topics, from sausage-making and preserves to the history of money, comedy and hot air ballooning. His latest, soon to be released, is a spectator's guide to the London 2012 Olympic Games, titled How to Watch the Olympics . Mr. Acton is visiting Ontario this week, and on Friday will be opening this weekend's fall fair in Acton, Ont., a town named after one of his forebears. We reached Lord Acton in Acton: I can't say I've ever had the privilege of interviewing a lord before. It must be very exciting for you. How do people normally address you? Johnny. It's all fairly new to me. My father died less than a year ago. I had an aunt who was married to an Italian prince, so she was called Princess Rospigliosi, but she used to say, "It's a secret between me and the postman." I kind of feel the same way. What will you be doing at the Acton Fall Fair? I'm apparently going to judge the Miss Acton competition, which is about the most exciting moment of my stay.