SUMMARY:

Prerevolutionary Russian nationalism as a political movement was created in many respects by P. A. Stolypin, who enjoyed great popularity among Russian nationalists. After his assassination, Stolypin's image evolved into a sacred “icon” of prerevolutionary Russian nationalism. At the same time, an analogous phenomenon might be observed in the politics of the Don Cossack Host region, where the ataman Fyodor Taube was very popular among local conservatives. In spite of his Baltic German origin, Taube managed to become an embodiment of Cossack interests and culture. Taube’s personality, declarations, and actions became very important points of reference in propaganda texts of the local conservative press. As in the case of Stolypin, sudden death elevated the persona of the ataman to the level of metonym of Cossack distinctiveness and groupness that were challenged in imperial society of the early twentieth century. The article explores how a member of the dynastic elite, an imperial officer, and official was transformed into an “icon” of Cossackness.