Morrison, Norman R., 1933-1965

Norman Morrison (1933-1965) became interested in the religious ideals and principles of the Society of Friends while studying in Scotland. In 1962, as a convinced Friend, he became the Executive Secretary of the Baltimore Monthly Meeting. Morrison was distraught as the pace of U.S military involvement and the bombing of civilians in Vietnam escalated; he chose to immolate himself in front of the Pentagon on November 2, 1965. His was one of only three such deaths in the United States, though many Buddhist monks in Vietnam used self-immolation as religious witness to attempt to end the war.

From the description of Norman R. Morrison collection, 1965-1968, 1985 (Swarthmore College, Peace Collection). WorldCat record id: 28469657