Sir Peter James Kerley KCVO (1900–1979) was an Irish radiologist famous for his role in the lung surgery of King George VI and the naming of the radiological sign in heart failure, Kerley lines. Kerley had his initial radiological training in Vienna at a time when it was the new science. On his return, he completed his studies in Cambridge and took up a post in Westminster Hospital. Here, he worked closely with Sir Clement Price Thomas and also edited a major radiology textbook. Following his early return from India and Singapore during World War II, Kerley continued his work in radiology of the heart and lungs and became radiology advisor to the Ministry of Health. Throughout his working career, he received numerous awards, honours and directorships, going on to achieve royal recognition and worldwide acclaim as one of the best radiologists of his time. Early life Born in 1900 in Dundalk, a town between Belfast and Dublin, Peter James Kerley was second-youngest of 14 children. His father was a low income grocer and could not afford Kerley’s education. However, his uncle, Augustine Henry, a talented arboriculturalist, took charge over this. Medical career A graduate of University College Dublin (1923), Kerley spent a year training in radiology in Vienna. His interest in radiology of the heart and lungs stemmed from this new specialty which was still somewhat novel and Vienna at this time was its epicenter. Then travelling to the UK, he achieved the D.M.R.E from Cambridge University and obtained his M.D. from the University of Ireland in 1932. Kerley assisted Seymour Cochrane Shanks to edit a major radiology textbook, 'A Textbook of X-ray Diagnosis by British Authors''' in 1939. The first two editions of Recent Advances in Radiology was another later book, Kerley had spent time to organise. He became director of radiology at the Westminster Hospital in 1939 and also became affiliated with the Royal Chest Hospital, London. At the time, Clement Price Thomas was an eminent thoracic surgeon. Kerley and Price Thomas formed a close connection which continued through their careers, influencing and molding Kerley's career pathway significantly. Kerley wrote numerous articles including his celebrated St Cyres lecture, the ‘Radiology of the Pulmonary Circulation’ and also edited the Journal of the Faculty of Radiologists. Kerley was involved at various times in his career, with the National Heart Hospital, King Edward VII's Sanatorium, Midhurst, the Ministry of Aviation,