John Ramsden ( 12 November 1947 -- 16 October 2009 ) was Professor of History at Queen Mary , University of London until his retirement in 2008 .
Was an authority on the history of the Conservative Party .
John Ramsden ( 12 November 1947 -- 16 October 2009 ) was Professor of History at Queen Mary , University of London until his retirement in 2008 , and was an authority on the history of the Conservative Party .