Peter Froggatt was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the Royal School, Armagh and Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied medicine. He later worked in Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, Dublin and as medical officer at Short Brothers and Harland Ltd, Belfast. In 1959 he was appointed lecturer at Queen’s University and embarked upon a distinguished academic career there; in 1968 he became professor of epidemiology and three years later, was appointed dean of the faculty of medicine. Between 1976 and 1986 he was president and vice-chancellor of Queen’s and in 1985, was given a knighthood. He has received honorary fellowships from a number of learned bodies and honorary doctorates from Queen’s, Trinity and the National University of Ireland. Since 1985 he has been pro-chancellor of the University of Dublin.