Ken Taylor, who sheltered Americans at his residence during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, died on Thursday at the age of 81. Here are some facts about Canada’s former ambassador to Iran.

_ Born in Calgary in 1934.

_ Named Canada’s ambassador to Iran in 1977.

_ Took charge of sheltering six Americans after Iranian protesters stormed the U.S. embassy on Nov. 4, 1979.

_ Spirited the six Americans out of Iran on Jan. 28, 1980 in what became known as the Canadian Caper. He was feted in the U.S in the immediate aftermath, including being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Canada named him an officer to the Order of Canada.

_ Appointed Canada’s Consul General in New York in 1981.

_ Left the Canadian foreign service after he left the job of Consul General in 1984.

_ Publicly criticized the movie “Argo” in February, 2013 because he felt it minimized Canada’s role in the Canadian Caper, prompted star Ben Affleck to publicly acknowledge Canada’s role.

_ Died in New York on Oct. 15, 2015.

QUOTE: “U.S. citizens responded in an extraordinary way — no Canadian paid for a drink for two weeks, (there were) free ski tow tickets, free bus tickets, police ignored parking tickets” — Ken Taylor, in 2013, recalling the euphoria that followed the Canadian Caper.

(Sources: Historica Canada, The Canadian Press)