Kenneth D. Taylor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Iran | |
| In office September 1977 – January 1980 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau (1977–79) Joe Clark (1979–80) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Douglas Taylor October 5, 1934 Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | October 15, 2015 (aged 81) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto (BA) University of California, Berkeley (MBA) |
Kenneth Douglas Taylor OC (October 5, 1934 – October 15, 2015) was a Canadian diplomat, educator and businessman, best known for his role in the 1979 covert operation called the "Canadian Caper" when he was the Canadian ambassador to Iran. With the cooperation of the American Central Intelligence Agency, Taylor helped six Americans escape from Iran during the Iran hostage crisis by procuring Canadian passports for the Americans to deceive the Iranian Revolutionary guard by posing as a Canadian film crew scouting locations. Had the IRG known, every Canadian in the embassy would have been executed.[1] Before the escape, the six Americans spent several weeks hiding in the homes of Taylor and another Canadian diplomat, John Sheardown.[2]
Taylor is portrayed by Gordon Pinsent in the Canadian 1981 television film, Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper which dramatizes the cover story for the operation. The later 2012 American film, Argo, focuses more on the CIA and Hollywood's role, with Taylor played by Canadian actor Victor Garber.
After his death, The Washington Post described Taylor as the "main hero" of the Iran hostage escape "who orchestrated the entire process", quoting former president Jimmy Carter in doing so.[1] In 1981, Taylor was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Ronald Reagan.[3] Nonetheless, the significance of his role was downplayed in the film Argo.
- ^ a b "Ken Taylor, the 'main hero' of Iran hostage escape, dies at 81". Washington Post. October 16, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
In addition to shielding the Americans from Iranian capture, Taylor also played a crucial role in plotting their escape ... Taylor obtained for the Americans six Canadian passports containing forged Iranian visas that ultimately allowed them to board a flight to Switzerland. He undertook all these covert actions at a high personal risk ... Taylor's contributions were widely recognized upon the Americans' safe return in 1980. He was inducted into the Order of Canada, awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal
- ^ "Ken Taylor and the Canadian Caper". Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. October 30, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ "Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to Kenneth Taylor, Former Canadian Ambassador to Iran". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. June 16, 1981.
Ambassador Taylor, it's a great pleasure to present this medal to you on behalf of the American people, who are grateful to you and grateful to our neighbor, Canada.