Rudolph Brathwaite born in British Guiana, now Guyana. He attended the Government Teachers Training College where he met Ruby, who later became his wife. He migrated to the US and attended Howard U, obtained his B.A. and MA degrees and later earned his PhD. from Catholic University of America, He taught at several universities, chief among them were Howard U., University of the District of Columbia and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC,) until he retired.