George Peter

Who was George Peter?

George Peter was a U.S. Representative from Maryland.

Born in Georgetown, Maryland, Peter pursued classical studies and graduated from Georgetown College. At the age of fifteen, Peter joined the Maryland troops in the campaign against the Whisky Insurrectionists in 1794, but at the request of his parents, was sent home. He entered the army as second lieutenant in the Ninth Infantry in July 1799, was transferred to the artillery. In 1806 he was in command of Fort Bellefontaine when the Lewis and Clark Expedition returned. Later in May 1808 Peter organized and commanded the first light battery of artillery in the country. He resigned June 11, 1809, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He later served as a major of volunteers in the War of 1812.

Peter was elected as a Federalist to the Fourteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alexander C. Hanson. He was reelected as a Federalist to the Fifteenth Congress and served from October 7, 1816, to March 3, 1819. Afterwards, Peter served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1819 to 1823.

Peter was elected as a Jacksonian to the Nineteenth Congress, and served from March 4, 1825 to March 3, 1827.