Robert Evans Peterson (November 12, 1812 – October 30, 1894) was an American book publisher and author. He also studied law and medicine, but never took up either profession. R. E. Peterson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to George and Jane (Evans) Peterson. His family included several publishers and editors: his brother Henry Peterson edited the Saturday Evening Post for twenty years, and his cousin Charles J. Peterson was an owner of the Post and founder of Peterson's Magazine.