Peter Timms was born and educated in Melbourne and, from 1971 until 1988, worked
in public art museums in Victoria and NSW.

He has been a freelance writer since 1988, including periods as Editor of Art Monthly Australia and art critic forThe Age.

He is the author of nine books, including Private Lives(Miegunyah, 2008) and In Search of Hobart (New South, 2009).