Ron Ramdin is a Trinidad-born historian, novelist, and biographer whose work has significantly contributed to understanding the experiences of Black and Asian communities in Britain and the Caribbean. Born in 1942 in the southern town of Marabella, Ramdin moved to Britain in 1962 aged 20 and worked at Senate House, the British Museum and as a freelance journalist for the BBC Caribbean Service before embarking on a career that would span history, fiction and cultural commentary.

His landmark book, The Making of the Black Working Class in Britain (1987), offered the first comprehensive historical perspective on the relationship between Black workers and Britain's evolving labour needs. The book traces the development of a Black presence in Britain from the 16th century through colonial labour systems – such as slavery and indentureship – to 20th century struggles against unemployment, racial attacks and workplace discrimination. Ramdin delves into the Black radical ideology underpinning these struggles, highlighting the often-overlooked role of Black radicals in British working-class movements.

Beyond this seminal work, Ramdin has authored several other influential books. From Chattel Slave to Wage Earner (1982) examines the history of trade unionism in Trinidad and Tobago, while Paul Robeson: The Man and His Mission (1987) provides a detailed biography of the Black American singer, actor and activist.

Ramdin's scholarship sheds light on the interconnected histories of the African diaspora and the British working class. His contributions have been recognized as pioneering, offering valuable insights into the complexities of race, labour, and identity in post-colonial Britain.

Such a long view of Black people in Britain, would, I felt, not only incorporate their multifaceted contribution both in war and peacetime, but also... to all aspects of British society. -- Ron Ramdin, The Makings of the Black Working Class (2017)