Peter Knipe was born on 3 March 1929 in Whitehaven, the son of William Edward Knipe, a schoolmaster, and his wife, Doris Margaret. He was educated at Whitehaven Grammar School and St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he played rugby football for the hospital and the United Hospitals XV, and gained honours in surgery in the London MB BS. He was appointed consultant to the East Somerset and West Dorset District Health Authorities, and was a tutor at the College. In later life he was very interested in orienteering. He died on 15 September 1994, survived by his wife and a daughter.