Sir Frederic William Eggleston was born on 17 October 1875 at Brunswick, Melbourne. He began his career as an articled clerk and then barrister. In 1911-20 Eggleston was a municipal councillor in Caulfield; including a year as mayor 1914-15. His political career included winning the seat of St Kilda in the Victorian election of 1920. He was a member of Council of the University of Melbourne from 6 January 1921 to 19 September 1927. In 1933 Eggleston was appointed first chairman of the Commonwealth Grants Commission, a position he held until 1941. In 1941 Eggleston was appointed first Australian minister to China. From 1946 to 1949 Eggleston was employed in a part-time capacity as an official adviser to the Department of External Affairs, and as lecturer to diplomatic cadets. Eggleston served as a member of the Interim Council of the Australian National University 1946-1951 and took a close interest in the planning, educational structure and personnel of the Research Schools of Social Sciences and Pacific Studies. He died on 12 November 1954 at Camberwell, Melbourne.