Christian Rantzau


Christian Rantzau was a Danish nobleman and civil servant. He served as Governor-general of Norway from 1731 to 1739.

Biography

Rantzau was born at Copenhagen, Denmark as son of Otto Rantzau, third lensgreve of Rosenvold, and Sophie Amalie Krag af Jylland. He became 5th lensgreve of Rosenvold in 1726, succeeding his brother Frederik Rantzau. He owned besides Rosenvold, estates at Asdal, Brahesborg, Hammelmose, Krengerup and Skovgaard.
In his youth he was on an educational journey in Europe. In 1702 he studied at the Knight Academy in Copenhagen.
In 1713 he became a commissioner in the Naval General War Commission. Rantzau was dismissed in 1721. In 1726, he received a seat on the commission to investigate the conditions of the Danish Royal Navy.
He was appointed vice-governor in Norway in 1731 after recently deceased Ditlev Vibe. During the King's voyage to Norway in 1733, Rantzau played a major role in his position; he accompanied the court to Trondheim. In 1739, the office was rescinded and remained vacant until 1750.
In 1740, he succeeded Christian Christophersen Sehested as county governor of Odense and several counties. He lived at St. Canute's Abbey among the largest buildings in Odense. For 20 years he governed his counties, resigning in 1760. He died during 1771 at Brahesborg in Fyn.

Personal life

Married Charlotte Amalie Goeye in 1716 and after her death married Eleonore Scheel-von Plessen in 1726. Had from first marriage Otto Mandrup Rantzau ; from second marriage Christian Rantzau, Friedrich Siegfried Rantzau and Carl Adolf Rantzau.