Frederik Raben-Levetzau

Frederik Raben-Levetzau, Count of Christiansholm (27 May 1850 – 5 May 1933) was a Danish noble and politician who was the minister of foreign affairs between 1905 and 1908. He was one of Denmark's largest landowners. The Countshipo of Christiansholm comprised the estates Ålholm, Bramsløkke, Egholm and Stenvængegården. His other holdings included Bremersvold, Beldringe and Lekkende on Southern Zealand.^[1]

Frederik Raben-Levetzau
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 1905–1908
Monarch	Christian IX
Prime Minister	Jens Christian Christensen
Personal details
Born	Frederik Christopher Otto Raben-Levetzau 27 May 1850 Lekkende
Died	5 May 1933(1933-05-05) (aged 82) Ålholm
Political party	Venstre
Spouse	Lillie Suzanne Moulton

Early life and education

Raben-Levetzau was born in Lekkende on 27 May 1850.^[2] His parents were Count Josias Raben-Levetzau (1796-1889) and Siegfriede Victorine Krogh (1823-98).^[2]

Career

In 1877 he joined the ministry of foreign affairs and worked as an attaché in Paris between 1877 and 1878 and in Vienna between 1879 and 1881.^[2] On his father's death in 1889 he took over the county of Christiansholm in Lolland.^[2]

Raben-Levetzau was appointed minister of foreign affairs in 1905.^[3] He was a supporter of the German Empire and improved the relations between Denmark and the Empire which was finalized through the sign of the Optant Convention in 1907.^[1] Raben-Levetzau held the post until 1908 when he resigned from the office.^[1] Following his resignation the cabinet also collapsed, and Raben-Levetzau retired from politics.^[1]

Personal life

Lillie Suzanne Raben-Levetzau painted by Peder Severin Krøyer.National Gallery of Denmark.

Raben-Levetzau married Lillie Suzanne Moulton, an American woman, in Rome on 8 April 1886.^[2] He died in Ålholm on 5 May 1933.^[2] They had four children:

• Lillie Suzanne Frederikke Emerentia Raben-Levetzau (1887-), married the American diplomat Lithgow Osborne
• Suzanne Marie Signe Raben-Levetzau (1888-1953), married Emil Victor Schau Lassen
• Siegfred Victor Raben-Levetzau (1891-1965), married to Pauline Wilhelmine Anastasia Kathinka Susan Reginsinde von Pappenheim. He was director of Seton Trust Ltd., Glyn Partncss, Electric & General Investments Trust and Scandinavian Shipping Gazette, Nautisk Forlag. He was appointed Hofjægermester in 1938.
• Johan Otto Valdemar Raben-Levetzau (1904-1992)m married to Agnete Dommerby . He succeeded his father to Aalholm.