Ray V. Pierce
Ray Vaughn Pierce | |
|---|---|
Frontispiece of 1888's The People's Common Sense Medical Advisor | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 32nd district | |
| In office 1879–1880 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel N. Lockwood |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Scoville |
| Member of the New York State Senate from the 31st district | |
| In office 1878–1879 | |
| Preceded by | E. Carleton Sprague |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin H. Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 4, 1840 Stark, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 1914 (aged 73) St. Vincent Island, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Occupation | Physician, entrepreneur, automobile manufacturer, environmentalist |
Ray Vaughn Pierce (August 6, 1840 – February 4, 1914) was an American physician, patent medicine manufacturer and marketer, entrepreneur, automobile pioneer, New York state senator and a U.S. representative from New York.
An Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati graduate, Pierce earned millions of dollars selling patent medicines, first primarily by mail and later over the counter. He claimed his "treatments" could cure many diseases and medical conditions, including consumption (tuberculosis), blood and liver problems as well as alleviate many "women’s complaints". Many referred to Pierce as "The Prince of Quacks".