Christoph Johann von Medem
Christoph Johann von Medem | |
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Christoph Johann Friedrich Graf von Medem portrait by Anton Graff (1796) | |
Born |
Mežotne, Duchy of Courland and Semigallia | 13 August 1763
Died |
24 February 1838 74) Mitau, Russian Empire | (aged
Father | Johann Friedrich von Medem |
Mother | Luise Charlotte von Manteuffel |
Count Christoph Johann Friedrich von Medem (Jeannot Medem; 1763–1838) was a nobleman from Courland and courtier in the courts of Prussian kings Frederick the Great, Frederick William II and Emperor of Russia Paul I. His sisters were poet Elisa von der Recke and last Duchess of Courland, Dorothea von Medem.
Christoph Johan von Medem was born in the Mežotne manor, Semigallia on 13 August 1763. He was the son of a well known landlord and Reichsgraf Johan Friedrich von Medem and his second wife Luise Charlotte von Manteuffel. He had a good education and with help from his father he became a courtier in the court of the Friedrich the Great. Later he also served in Prussian army. After king's death in 1786 he became aide of his son Friedrich Wilhelm II. Later after his patrons death he moved to St. Petersburg in the service of Russian emperor Paul I. He was his chamberlain and also served as ambassador in Washington.
After retirement he returned to Semigallia (where he owned several manors) and turned to agriculture. He married Mary Luise, a daughter of Count Peter Ludwig von der Pahlen. Their residences included lv:Villa Medem in Mitau and the Durbe Manor near Tukums. Christoph Johann von Medem died in Mitau on 24 February 1838.