Dr. John Staples
The third volume of Professor John R. Staples’ Cornies’ papers, examining latter years of his Ukraine leadership, has been published.
“Transformation on the Southern Ukrainian Steppe: The Letters and Papers of Johann Cornies, Vol. 3: 1843-1848” reveals Cornies’ efforts to navigate the complex relationships between the Mennonites, the Russian State and neighboring communities.
Dr. Staples, a professor of Russian and Soviet history in the Department of History, is a co-editor, along with Harvey L. Dyck and Ingrid I. Epp, of the series published by the University of Toronto Press.
The third volume provides a rich portrayal of Cornies’s leadership, the evolving Mennonite community and the personal struggles of a man balancing reform with tradition.
“Transformation on the Southern Ukrainian Steppe” is an essential resource for scholars of Mennonite history, Russian colonialism, and minority life in the 19th century.
