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