Stefan, Augustin

Born in Poroshkove, Transcarpathian oblast on January 11, 1893, Stefan was a teacher, civic activist, and political leader. After completing Gymnasium studies in Berehove in 1910, theological studies in Uzhhorod in 1914, and philosophical studies in Budapest in 1917, he worked as a teacher in Uzhhorod until 1922. Stefan was a founding member of the Ruthenian People's party (1920-1924). He established the State Commercial Academy in Uzhhorod and served as its director from 1922 to 1938, after which he served as minister of educational and religious affairs in the republic of Carpatho-Ukraine. With the fall of the state in 1939, Stefan directed educational institutions in Bratislava, Prague, and then Augsburg, Germany. Upon immigrating to the United States in 1949, he taught at a Ukrainian Catholic academy for girls until 1969. Throughout his life, Stefan was active in various cultural-educational and political societies. He served as editor and co-editor for a number of journals and newspapers, and wrote extensively about Carpatho-Ukraine.