The Apostle Peter was born and named Simon (or Simeon) in Bethsaida (meaning 'place of nets'), which is on Lake Galilee, to his father John, a fisherman. He had a brother Andrew, who introduced him to Jesus and was himself a disciple of John the Baptist. Jesus called Simon "Cephas", which means 'rock' and is translated "Peter". This was probably meant as a title or nickname, as 'Cephas' was not previously used as a name.
Peter was soon the leader of the twelve, often speaking for them. He was also one of the three closest to Jesus (with John, 'the one Jesus loved', and James).
Peter is well-known for rashly stating that he would die before denying Christ, to which our Lord replied, 'I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows you will have disowned me three times'; a prophecy which was fulfilled soon after Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter also, following Jesus' example, walked on water towards Him (Matt. 14:29) and was the first to declare publicly that Jesus was the Messiah (Matt. 16:16).
After Jesus' ascension, Peter and John took the lead of the early Church. Later, Peter had a vision from the Holy Spirit which led him to approve of evangelism to the Gentiles, though he later reverted to more Jewish ways under pressure from strict Jewish Christians. Peter was imprisoned under King Herod Agrippa the First, but was led out of the cell by an angel of the Lord the night before he was to be executed (Acts 12:7).
It is hard to get information on Peter's life after the time recorded in Acts, but he may have visited Asia Minor or Corinth, though ultimately he settled in Rome. Two New Testament letters bear his name, the first most likely written by him, but the second's authorship is in slightly more doubt (though I think it still fair to credit it to him). He was probably the main source of information for Mark's gospel, and it appears, died at Rome during Nero's persecution of Christians around 64 AD. Legend has it that Peter was to be crucified but begged to be crucified upside down instead, in order that he may not be blessed to die in the same way as the Lord.
Since his death, the church in Rome claimed to have special prestige from his life and death in their city, with the Vatican bascilla of St Peter's said to be built above the site of his martyrdom. Peter was given more prominence by the Church in the time of Pope Leo the Great (who died in 461), and since then all Popes claim a spiritual descendancy from Peter.