Sir William M. Ramsay is acknowledged as the outstanding authority on the life of Paul and the history of the early church. Wilbur M. Smith spoke of him as "the greatest living authority on the historical, geographical and archaeological aspects of the life of the Apostle Paul."

Ramsay for the greater part of his life was professor of humanity at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He carried on extensive research in Asiatic Turkey and the ancient Bible lands. Among the many books presenting the results of his study are St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen and The Cities of St. Paul.