Stephen Russell Mallory was born on the island of Trinidad in 1812. He moved to Key West at the age of nine but was sent to both Mobile and Pennsylvania for his formal education.

In 1838, Mallory married Angela Moreno, the oldest of the 27 children of Don Francisco Moreno of Pensacola. They lived in Key West where he served successively as Customs Inspector, County Judge, and Port Collector.

In 1846, Mallory established a legal practice specializing in Maritime Law. From 1852 to 1861, he served as a United States Senator for Florida, and was the chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee of the Senate. Mallory worked to strengthen the Navy by adding ships and using the latest advances in design and construction.

During the Civil War, Mallory served as Secretary of the Confederate Navy where he set about creating a fleet of armor plated ships.

After the war, he returned to the practice of law in Pensacola and died on November 9, 1873 at the age of 62.

His large granite monument in St. Michael's Cemetery details his life accomplishments.

Podcast written by University of West Florida Public History Student, Ricky Gomez.