

Dr. John Staples
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.