Charles T. Pepper

Charles Taylor Pepper, M.D. (2 December 1830 – 28 May 1903) was the original inspiration for the Dr Pepper brand, according to the Dr Pepper/Seven Up company. Born in Montgomery County, Virginia, he earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia in 1855.

Pepper served as a surgeon during the Civil War, after which he settled down in Rural Retreat, Virginia, where he would meet Wade Morrison, who would later name a soda after Pepper. Although the actual reason behind the name of the soda is attributed to Morrison naming it after Pepper, the actual origin is unknown. Others claim Wade Morrison originally named the soda brand after Dr. Pepper whose daughter he wished to marry; notwithstanding, Morrison married someone else later.