Adolfo Kaminsky saved thousands of Jews by changing their identities
The forger of wartime papers and photographer of Paris died on January 9th, aged 97
The policemAn was getting closer. As he shoved through the car in the Paris Metro he was shouting: “Identity check! General search!” The slight, bespectacled teenager shrank back in his seat and clasped his satchel tighter. Let me not give myself away, Adolfo Kaminsky was thinking. Not now, not today.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “The good forger”
More from Obituary
Peter Fenwick became the world expert on near-death experiences
The neuropsychiatrist and promoter of “the art of dying” died on November 22nd, aged 89
Chiung Yao taught the Chinese all about romantic love
The bestselling novelist and screenwriter died on December 4th, aged 86
Jimmy Carter was perhaps the most virtuous of all America’s presidents
The humble peanut farmer who went to the White House died on December 29th, aged 100
Brother Harold Palmer lived alone in the wilds by choice
The Northumbrian hermit died on October 4th, aged 93
Shalom Nagar was picked by lottery to kill Adolf Eichmann
The Israeli prison officer turned ritual slaughterer died on November 26th, aged 88
John Kinsel used his own language to fool the Japanese
One of the last Navajo code-talkers died on October 19th, aged 107