Stephen Russell Mallory

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Just as Confederate naval action is commonly overshadowed by the dramatic land battles of the Civil War, the navy’s originator, Stephen Mallory, is often passed over in favor of those who played a more publicized role in the government of the Confederacy. Mallory had served as one of Florida’s U.S. senators for ten years when the state’s secession forced him to resign his position. In the new Confederate government, he became the naval secretary and found himself challenged to create a valid military force where none had existed. This biography of Stephen Russell Mallory chronicles his formative years in Key West, his decades of public service, and his declining days. It discusses his career in the United States Senate, where he served on and chaired the Committee for Naval Affairs, helping to strengthen - in an ironic twist of fate - the very navy he would later attempt to defeat. The work also takes an in-depth look at the challenges and obstacles that Mallory faced in creating a navy for the South. Special attention is given to Mallory’s family relationships and his role as a devoted husband and father. Primary sources include Mallory’s extensive autobiographical documents and surviving archival records.