Material Detail

This site includes a complete collection of historical documents and images to the death of diplomat Herbert Norman. What would persuade the Canadian ambassador to jump from a window of one of Cairo’s tallest buildings to certain death? In 1956, Cambridge educated, highly respected diplomat, Herbert Norman, was hand picked by Canadian Primer Minister, Lester B. Pearson, to be his point man in Egypt during the Suez Crisis. Pearson later won the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the peace process. Norman, who had earlier served as a special assistant to the Supreme Commander Allied Powers in occupied Japan, General Douglas MacArthur, was under investigation by the infamous American Senator Joe McCarthy as a communist in the midst of cold war tensions. Was he a communist, a spy, or a loyal and effective diplomat? Why did he kill himself? His ambiguous suicide note only made the situation more mysterious.

Site users are encouraged to come up with their own interpretations of primary documents. Educators have access to a Teachers' Guide and experts’ interpretations of the mystery. The site is available in English and French.