Count Leo Tolstoy, 1828-1910, experienced a spiritual awakening in his fifties and came to value Christian philosophy over literature. Through his interest in a moral life, he became interested in the Doukhobors. The persecution they were experiencing troubled him greatly and he sought a way to help them.
Through a public relations campaign, personal donations and introducing the Doukhobor leaders to helpful people, Tolstoy was able to help the Doukhobors out of Russia. He also donated the profits from his final novel: Resurrection to the Doukhobors (Mayes, 42).
The library has many resources available on Tolstoy and the Doukhobors, the following is a sample of what is in the collection. Many of the items are in Special Collections and are library use only, however, some of these items are online in the Doukhobor Collection database.
Select resources available from the library on Tolstoy’s relationship to the Doukhobors:
Inikova, Svetlana A. “The Doukhobors and Tolstoy followers.” History of the Doukhobors in the Archives of Vladimir D. Bonch-Bruevich (1886-1950s): An Annotated Bibliography. Ottawa: Legas and Spirit Wrestlers, 1999: 73-82.
This chapter is a history and explanation of Tolstoy’s beliefs and a history of Tolstoy’s followers in Russia and their relationship to the Doukhobors. It explains the significance of Tolstoy’s thought and the effect his ideas had on Russian intellectual life. It also explains the importance they placed on the Doukhobors as living manifestations of Tolstoy’s ideal.
Maude, Aylmer. “A Criticism of Tolstoy.” A Peculiar People: The Doukhobórs. New York: Funk&Wallis, 1904: 278-310, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
A contemporary critique of Tolstoyan ideology, and explanation of the problems and benefits associated with their implementation.
Mayes, Hubert G. “Resurrection: Tolstoy and Canada’s Doukhobors.” The Beaver 79. October/November 1999: 38-44.
Includes a discussion of the history of Tolstoy’s thought and how the Doukhobors fit into his philosophy. It then describes the history of the Doukhobors’ emigration from Russia and Tolstoy’s part in the exodus.
Sanborn, Josh. “Pacifist Politics and Peasant Politics: Tolstoy and the Doukhobors, 1895-1899.” Canadian Ethnic Studies 27 (1995), no. 3: 52-71.
An explanation of the Doukhobors’ philosophy and situation in Russia before the migration to Canada, including an appeal for sympathy and aid. This book is partially partially online.
Tolstoy, Leo. Patriotism and Christianity: to which is Appended “A Reply to Criticisms” of the work and “Patriotism, or Peace?.” London: Walter Scott, 1896, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
A treatise discussing the conflict between the demands of patriotism and the demands of Christianity and the injunction against killing.
______. Voskreseny, Roman [Resurrection, Novel]. Moscow, 1899, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
Tolstoy’s last novel, from which he donated the proceeds to the Doukhobor cause.
______. Sezni E Uchenie Iesusa [Life of Jesus]. Purleigh: A. Tchertkoff, 1900, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
Published by Tchertkoff to further the pro-Doukhobor campaign.
______. Resurrection. London: Brotherhood Publishing, 1900, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
Tolstoy’s last novel, from which he donated the proceeds to the Doukhobor cause.
______. Msli O Bog [Thoughts about God]. Berlin, 1901, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
______. Pis’ma L.V. Tolstoyo K’Dukobortxam’ [Letters from Tolstoy to the Doukhobors]. Berlin: Izd. G. Shteinitsa, 1902, , The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
First collection of Tolstoy’s “public” letters to the Doukhobors in Russia and Canada. Of prime importance both as a Tolstoy work and a fundamental document of Doukhobor thought.
______. Essays and Letters. Translated by Aylmer Maude. London: Grant Richards, 1903, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
______. Miscellaneous Letters and Essays. Translated and edited by Leo Wiener. Boston: Dana Estes, 1905, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
A pamphlet of letters written by Tolstoy to the Doukhobors encouraging them in their beliefs and discussing these beliefs in relation to the world at large.
Tolstoy, Leo and Peter Verigin. Leo Tolstoy – Peter Verigin Correspondence. With an introduction by Lidia Gromova-Opul’skaya. Edited by Andrew Donskov. Translated by John Woodsworth. Toronto: Legas, 1995, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
Leo Tolstoy and Peter Verigin. Perepiska [Correspondence]. St. Petersburg, 1995, The Doukhobor Collection, Special Collections and Rare Books, W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University.
Woodsworth, John. “Attitude and Character Transformation as Revealed in the Correspondence of Tolstoy and Verigin.” Canadian Ethnic Studies 27 (1995), no. 3: 245-251.
