Richard R. Peabody 1892--1936 Richard R. Peabody was afflicted with alcoholism in young adulthood, which was exacerbated by his wartime experiences. He had served as a Captain in the United States Army's 15th Field Artillery, 2nd Division, AEF, during World War I. His disease led to the disolution of his marriage. He became a disciple of the Emmanuel Movement, named for Boston's Emmanuel Church where clergy and lay practitioners reported success in treating alcoholics. He wrote "The Common Sense of Drinking," published by Little Brown in 1931, and reprinted in 1933, in which he was the first to state there was no cure for alcoholism. The book was a best seller and had a major influence on Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson.

Peabody continued to treat alcoholics though he was neither a medical professional nor a psychologist.