Bernard Mallon

Timeline Sep. 14, 1824 Birth Ireland Oct. 15, 1856 Principal of Massie School Savannah , GA 1866 Named Superintendent of the Savannah (GA) Public Schools Sep. 2, 1871 Named Superintendent of the Atlanta (GA) Public Schools 1871-79 Superintendent of the Atlanta (GA) Public Schools Oct. 10, 1879 Becomes 1st President of SHSU Oct. 21, 1879 Death Huntsville, TX Links SHSU Hall of Presidents Find-a-Grave Sources Education; Volume III - May-June, 1883, No. V Massie School History

Bernard Mallon served as the first president (or principal) of SHSU (then Sam Houston Normal Institute) upon its opening in 1879.

Immigrating to New York at three years of age, by 1850 Mallon was establishing himself in the Savannah, Georgia area as teacher in private schools and, in 1854, establishing a public school. Mallon returned to New England in 1855 for studies at Brown University.

Returning to Savannah with his bride, Mallon opened the Massie School in 1856 and was named superintendent of the city’s schools a decade later.

He served in the Atlanta area as a soldier in 1864 during the American Civil War.

Mallon was elected Superintendent of the Atlanta Public Schools in 1871 and served in that role until resigning in 1879. In Atlanta, Mallon became a much respected educator by fellow teachers and students and brought much attention and notoriety to both the school system and his practices. Having long declined offers for relocating, Mallon finally relented to take the position of principal at Sam Houston Normal Institute. SHNI officially opened on October 10 – Mallon died eleven days later, October 21.

The Mallon House was named in his honor.

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