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.

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.

Alongside his brother, George W. Peckham, and brother-in-law, Joseph Colt, he opened a successful private law firm.

[2] Peckham returned to legal practice in a partnership with Judge Lyman Tremain until he was elected to serve as a justice of the New York Supreme Court for the Third Judicial District from 1861 until 1869.

Peckham and his second wife, Mary, were among 226 passengers and crew of the steamer SS Ville du Havre lost at sea, while the couple were en route to southern France to improve his failing health.