I am an independent historian who holds a PhD and graduate certificate in Ethnohistory from Western Michigan University. My research focuses on the impact of the interactions and interrelations between Indigenous, African, and European peoples in early modern Europe, colonial North America, and the Atlantic World. My recently published book is Calvinists & Indians in the Northeastern Woodlands.
HISTORIAN
WRITER
MONGER
Calvinists and Indians in the Northeastern Woodlands
My first book, Calvinists & Indians in the Northeastern Woodlands, explores the influence and limits of the Dutch Reformation upon the dynamic, multifaceted relationships that developed between Native Americans and New Netherlanders living in the Northeast Woodlands up to 1750.
“Dr. Staggs was the finest professor I ever had the opportunity to study with during my time at Calvin College! He led our Early American History class of 12 students as a seminar and encouraged us all to learn from each other through critical reading, thorough research, and engaging discussions. His instruction of research methods and reading skills were particularly influential and helped my academic prowess across the board.”
Mr. Andrew Veenstra-Banning, Former Student at Calvin College
“Thank you for teaching [the] History 153 course. Your enthusiasm and passion for the course made history very interesting and entertaining for me. Also, the challenges you gave me allowed me to grow significantly. I am really thankful that you were my professor.”
Mr. Park Si Chan, Student at Calvin University
“I am about a third of the way in Calvinists and Indians and I must pause to say how impressed I am, and how much I am learning and enjoying it! There are so many "fast" books out there—ones that did not take much primary research, etc—but yours is great, "old fashioned", rigorous scholarship. Your many sources and footnotes attest to the great effort and talent you put into it. The narrative is elegant. The images are also impressive: Amsterdam University Press is obviously high quality. I'm also learning a lot about Dutch and Indian history, especially for your time period, that I had not known before. I love history backed by data and you certainly have done that, too."
Dr. William Van Vugt, Professor of History, Emeritus
“Ladies and gentlemen, fellow academic colleagues, I worked directly with Dr. Staggs over several years on education-related projects in academia. I give my full endorsement and support to Professor Staggs’s scholastic production . . . He is a man of intellectual integrity.”
Dr. Nalova Westbrook, Professor of Literacy
MONGER
I’m also a cheesemonger trained by Heather Camp, an American Cheese Society (ACS) Certified Cheese Professional (CCP), and Evan Talen (ACS CCP), winner of the 2019 Cheesemonger Invitational. I’d love to show you how artisan cheese (& wine) can transform your life.
Speaking Request / Contact
stephen.staggs@mailfence.com