John Ratcliffe Grant was born in Henan Province, China, the son of Presbyterian missionaries. He was granted a PhD from Harvard University in 1947, and in 1950 came to Victoria University as an Assistant Professor of Classics. Dr. Grant taught at Victoria until 1979, becoming a Professor of Classics in 1975. Dr. Grant was married to Nettie Grant.List of positions held at Victoria:Assistant Professor of Classics, 1950-1951Secretary of Victoria College Council; Assistant Professor of Classics, 1951-1953Assistant Professor of Classics, 1953-1957Associate Professor of Classics, 1957-1967Professor of Greek and Roman History, 1967-1975Professor of Classics, 1975-1979Professor Emeritus of Classics, 1979-1990