Christian Günther von Bernstorff
| Christian Günther von Bernstorff | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
3 April 1769 Copenhagen |
| Died | 18 March 1835 (aged 65) |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Parent(s) | Andreas Peter von Bernstorff |
Count Christian Günther von Bernstorff (German: Christian Günther Graf von Bernstorff; April 3, 1769 – March 18, 1835) was a Danish and Prussian statesman and diplomat.
He was born in Copenhagen on April 3, 1769, to Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff. He was educated for the diplomatic service under his father's direction. He began his career in 1787, as attaché to the representative of Denmark at the opening of the Diet of Sweden.
In 1789, he went as secretary of legation to Berlin, where his maternal uncle, Count Leopold Friedrich zu Stolberg, was Danish ambassador. His uncle's influence, as well as his own social qualities, obtained him rapid promotion; he was soon chargé d'affaires, and in 1791 minister plenipotentiary. In 1794, he exchanged this post for the important one of ambassador at , where he remained until May 1797, when he was summoned to Copenhagen to act as substitute for his father during his illness. On the death of the latter (June 21), he succeeded him as secretary of state for foreign affairs and privy councillor.
In 1800, he became head of the ministry. He remained responsible for the foreign policy of Denmark until May 1810, a fateful period which saw the battle of Copenhagen (April 2, 1801), the bombardment of Copenhagen, and the capture of the Danish fleet in 1807.
After his retirement, he remained without office until his appointment in 1811 as Danish ambassador at Vienna. He remained here, despite Denmark being nominally at war with Austria, until, in January 1814, on the accession of Denmark to the coalition against Napoleon, he publicly resumed his functions as ambassador. He accompanied the emperor Francis to Paris, and was present at the signature of the first peace of Paris.
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