Bryan Ranft


Bryan Ranft was an historian of the Royal Navy, who served as Professor of History and International Affairs at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, 1967–1977.

Early life and education

Ranft was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford. During World War II, he joined the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of major. Well along in his career, Ranft completed his D.Phil. degree in history at Oxford University in 1967 with a thesis on The naval defence of British sea-borne trade, 1860–1905.

Academic career

Upon leaving the Royal Artillery, Ranft joined the staff of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich and rose to become Professor of History and International Affairs. He was a visiting fellow at King's College London, where he taught naval history to several generations of postgraduate students, and was appointed Visiting Professor in 1982.

Published works