Peter Allen Ryan (b.1923) was a newspaper columnist, author, World War II spy, director of Melbourne University Press and an officer of the Victorian Supreme Court.
Fear Drive My Feet is his famous account of his World War II experiences in New Guinea.
He was an intelligence operative behind enemy lines in New Guinea. On his return to Australia, he served under Alf Conlon at the Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs.
He was Director of Melbourne University Press from 1962 to 1989. He has written a monthly column for Quadrant magazine since 1994.