THE NARROW-LINE QUASAR IRAS-20181-2244 - A LUMINOUS COUSIN OF NGC-1068

We have identified the ROSAT-detected object IRAS 20181 - 2244 with a V = 16.8 mag narrow-line quasar with redshift z = 0.185. The permitted and forbidden line-widths are typical of Seyfert 2 galaxies. The absolute magnitude is M(V) = - 23.6 and the reddening is A(V) congruent-to 1.1. The unreddened absolute magnitude (M(V))0 congruent-to - 24.7 makes this the most luminous known narrow-line (type 2) quasar. Similarities with X-ray-detected Seyfert 2 and ultraluminous infrared galaxies, as well as implications for the unified model for active galactic nuclei (AGN), are discussed.