Francis A. Mallison

Francis Avery Mallison (March 13, 1832 – June 22, 1877) was an American journalist, editor and public servant. A longtime reporter for the Brooklyn Eagle, known under his pen name Francis O'Pake, he and then city editor Joseph Howard, Jr. were responsible for publishing a forged document to manipulate the price of gold on the New York Stock Exchange resulting in the "Great Civil War Gold Hoax".

Early life Francis Mallison was born in Rome, New York to a Methodist family from Connecticut. His father was a local schoolteacher. He attended the Oneida Conference Seminary, the Polytechnic School at Chittenango and the Seminary at Lowville. Mallison received common school training and began contributing to the Rome Sentinel shortly after leaving school. Mallison also traveled to the western United States in 1849 and the southern United States in 1851–1852, studying the culture and economic issues in these areas. He also worked as a telegraph operator in Central New York.

Editing He eventually gained editorial control of the Rome Sentinel and remained editor until he moved to Brooklyn in November 1859, whereupon he took a position at the City News. He became acquainted with many prominent New Yorkers while on the paper and, upon its reorganization, joined the Brooklyn Eagle. Mallison eventually became city editor of the Brooklyn Eagle himself, but was forced to retire due to poor health. However, his position gained him valuable political connections and he was admitted to the bar in December 1866. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Kings Co., 4th D.) in 1868. He remained in journalism as a political correspondent while a member of the Legislature and resumed it on a full-time basis after the end of his term.

Retirement and death Retiring to private life, he traveled to South America for his health and remained abroad for four months. Upon his return, he lived at his Myrtle Avenue home until his death from jaundice on the morning of June 22, 1877.