Bryan Ranft (14 July 1917 – 14 April 2001) was a historian of the Royal Navy, who served as Professor of History and International Affairs at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, 1967–1977.
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.
degree in history at Oxford University in 1967 with a thesis on The naval defence of British sea-borne trade, 1860–1905.
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.