Peter Edgar was educated at Scotch College, Adelaide, and holds a BA (Hons) in history, (special subject military history), from the University of Adelaide and an MA (Hons) in history from the UNSW University College, Australian Defence Force Academy. He has worked in the Commonwealth departments of Immigration, Territories, Trade Practices, Social Services, Prime Minister and Cabinet and in departments dealing with the arts, film, heritage and the environment.He lives in Canberra and is married to the writer Suzanne Edgar. He has two married daughters and a grand daughter, Zara.