Theodore A. Peyser

Peyser was born in Charleston, West Virginia on February 18, 1873. Peyser attended Charleston public schools until he was 11 years old and then had to leave school and turn to working to support his family. He moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1893 and worked as a traveling salesman until 1900 when he moved to New York City and entered the life insurance business. Peyser was a very successful life insurance salesman he is credited with having sold million dollar life insurance policies to thirty three clients.[1] He was elected to Congress in 1932 defeating incumbent Ruth Pratt and represented New York's 17th congressional district from March 4, 1933 until his death in New York City on August 8, 1937.

During his time in congress he was a vehement opponent of prohibition he offered a plan to "Tax the thirsty and feed the hungry"[2] as a solution to the problem of alcohol. He also helped allocate funds for a airport on Governor's Island. While Rep. Peyser agreed with President Roosevelt on most legislation including the New Deal he disagreed with the president's belief of Supreme Court expansion.

• List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)
• List of people from West Virginia

• United States Congress. "Theodore A. Peyser (id: P000281)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/08/09/97545951.html?pageNumber=19