Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Jonsson Quisling, born July 18, 1887 at Fyresdal, was a career Norwegian Army officer whose collaboration with Germany during World War II made his name a sobriquet for "traitor." Beginning his service in 1911, Quisling was attaché in Russia (1918-19) and Finland (1919-21). He later participated in Russia relief operations of the League of Nations and represented Britain at the Norwegian Legation at Moscow (1927-29). Appointed minister of defense (1931-33) he gained notoriety for suppressing a strike by hydroelectric workers, resigning soon afterward to form the right wing Nasjonal Samling (National Union) Party, but never gained a seat in the parliament. Having met Hitler in 1939, Quisling was emboldened to declare himself head of government upon the German invasion of April, 1940 and the flight of the royal family and government. Although this coup failed, he served under the German occupation authority as "minister president" in 1942. After the collapse of the Third Reich, he was imprisoned tried and executed at Akershus Fortress, Oslo, on October 24, 1945.
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