[1] He studied teaching at the University of Sydney, worked as a high school teacher in English and History and as a senior research officer for former Liberal minister Ted Pickering prior to his election to parliament.

[2] Ryan was elected to parliament on his third attempt in 1991, entering the Legislative Council after winning preselection for the safe fourth Liberal position on the coalition's ticket.

He was a strong supporter of the leadership of Peter Collins and John Brogden, and clashed with the conservative wing of his party on a number of occasions.

[20] The campaign bore fruit in 2006 when the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a $244 million five-year program to move hundreds of people aged under 50 out of nursing homes across Australia.

[21] He successfully campaigned against savage budget cuts to day training programs for school leavers with disability that were introduced by the NSW Government in July 2004.

The rival conservative faction had gained increasing control of the party, and had defeated moderate MLC Patricia Forsythe and MLA Steven Pringle for preselection.

Lynn was quoted as saying:[36] "John had a political career but he was rejected by the Liberal Party in south-west Sydney because of his support for ... progressive social issues."

[39] In 2018 Ryan was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia "for significant service in the Parliament of NSW and to public administration, particularly the development of accommodation policy for people with disabilities".

[41] In April 2019, disability advocates and representative organisations across Australia joined together to demand that the two public servants appointed to the Royal Commission, John Ryan and Barbara Bennett, stood down from their duties.