Peter Yarrow was born in May, 1938, Yarrow earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Cornell University in 1959. He was inspired early on by the work of the Weavers and their socially conscious topical songwriting. He co-wrote Puff the Magic Dragon based on a poem by fellow Cornell grad Leonard Lipton. He received the Allard K. Lowenstein Award in 1982 for his advocacy for human rights and peace.