Richard Garrett was educated at Dulwich College and Trinity College, Cambridge. He is honorary research fellow at the University of Hong Kong's Centre of Asian Studies, and a member of the Arms and Armour Society, the Society for Army Historical Research, and the Ordnance Society. He started collecting antique firearms in 1965 and has written many articles on antique weapons.

Richard Garrett's The Defences of Macau is an integrated historical survey of the port's defensive systems encompassing its forts, warships, artillery and small arms. This masterful account of how this enigmatic city approached defensive warfare will appeal to military historians, students of fortification and orientalists alike. Highly recommended. -- Bill Harriman, arms and militaria specialist, BBC TV Antiques Roadshow