Birger Meidell

Who was Birger Meidell?

Birger Øivind Meidell was a professor and a member of The Norwegian Science Academy who served two posts in the fascist NS government of Vidkun Quisling first as Church and Educational Minister and then as Norwegian minister for social affairs September 1940 - September 1941.

After the Second World War he was sentenced to life imprisonment with forced labour but immediately released on grounds of ill health. He took up a post at the Brankasse until his retirement.

In the 1930s he formulated a broad strategy for Nazi NS-command of Norwegian society. His main ambition idea was to win over the workers for the NS and for national socialism through active social politics, higher payment, and better working conditions. He also aimed to subordinate the labour unions to government policy. His progress in these aims and throughout his fascist career was not helped by his obstinate and uncooperative personality. He also fielded as a minor ballot candidate for NAsjonal Samling in the Norwegian parliamentary election, 1936 in Akershus, but his party did not win a seat.