Ken Taylor, Canada's ambassador to Iran who sheltered Americans at his residence during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis has died.
Taylor kept the Americans hidden at his residence and at the home of his deputy, John Sheardown, in Tehran for three months. Taylor facilitated their escape by arranging plane tickets and persuading the Ottawa government to issue fake passports.
Born in 1934 in Calgary, Taylor was heralded as a hero for helping save the Americans — a clandestine operation that had the full support of then Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark's government.
Some of Taylor's exploits in Iran in 1979 were later portrayed in the 2012 Hollywood film, "Argo." Taylor and others felt the film underplayed the role he and Canada played.
The six U.S. diplomats managed to slip away when their embassy was overrun in 1979. They spent five days on the move, then took refuge at the Canadian Embassy for the next three months. Taylor immediately agreed to take them in without checking with the Canadian government.
The CIA consulted with Canadian officials on how to organize a rescue, and Canada gave permission for the diplomats to be issued fake Canadian passports.
After returning from Iran, Taylor was appointed Canadian Consul-General to New York City. In 1980, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada along with his wife Pat and other Canadian personnel involved in the escape, and was also awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal that same year.
He returned to the University of Toronto for several years as the Chancellor of Victoria College.
Taylor left the foreign service in 1984 and served as Senior Vice-President of Nabisco from 1984 to 1989.
He was the founder and chairman of public consulting firm Taylor and Ryan.
Taylor moved the United States and lived in New York City until his death.
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Thank you Mr. Ambassador.