Rufus Wheeler Peckham

Rufus Wheeler Peckham (December 20, 1809 – November 22, 1873) was an American jurist and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for New York's 14th congressional district from 1853 to 1855.

Aside from his time in Congress, Peckham served on the New York Supreme Court and New York Court of Appeals. Two of his sons were nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States, the younger of whom, Rufus W. Peckham, was successfully confirmed by the Senate.

Peckham ultimately died in the November 1873 sinking of the SS Ville du Havre.

Early life Peckham was born in Rensselaerville, New York, in Albany County on December 20, 1809, to Peleg Benjamin (1762–1828) and Desire (Watson) Peckham (1767–1852). Raised in Cooperstown, New York, he attended Hartwick Seminary. After reading law under Greene C. Bronson and Samuel Beardsley, he was admitted to the bar in 1830. Alongside his brother, George W. Peckham, and brother-in-law, Joseph Colt, he opened a successful private law firm.

Upon Peckham's death, the New York State Bar Association published a book compiling remembrances held at the New York Court of Appeals, state bar association, New York City courts, Rensselaer County bar association, Greene County bar association, and various courthouses across New York State.