Quisling, << KWIHZ lihng, >> Vidkun (1887-1945), was a Norwegian traitor of World War II (1939-1945). The word quisling came to stand for traitor because of his aid to German occupation forces.
Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Jonsson Quisling was born on July 18, 1887, in Fyresdal, Norway. He served in Norway’s army and its diplomatic corps. From 1931 to 1933, he was minister of defense. In 1933, Quisling formed the National Unity Party, a political party modeled on Germany’s Nazi Party.
When Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Quisling briefly assumed power. The Germans took control of the Norwegian government, and in 1942, they installed Quisling as a puppet leader. After the war, Quisling was convicted on charges of treason. He was executed on Oct. 24, 1945.
