Graf Lottum was born in
Berlin and visited the
Academie des Nobles, the principal educational establishment of the state, founded by
Frederick the Great. On 9 April 1784 he became
ensign of the Infantry Regiment of Anhalt-Bernburg, and on 26 October 1786
lieutenant. One year later, he was transferred to the newly formed fusilier battalion
von Schenck, also stationed in
Halle. His battalion participated in the Dutch campaign of 1787. Shortly thereafter, as an ordonnance officer, he accompanied general
Graf Schulenburg-Renert in the war against France. A fall from his horse in 1793 led to a fracture of his foot and rendered him unusable for field duties. He was assigned as an assistant to the
Upper War Collegium, where he remained, raising in his rank, until the
treaty of Tilsit in 1807. In the same year he was assigned to hold the
Report of Military Affairs in front of the king, which should prove to be deciding for his career. During this time, and until the report was passed on to
von Scharnhorst,
Frederick William III came to know and esteem Graf Lottum. In his charge as counselor for the king and being the head of the
Reorganization Committee, he used his influence to strengthen the conservative tendencies in the aristocracy of Prussia. He opposed the admission of officers of civic origin, and fought against the
Landsturm and the
Städteordnung. On 16 December 1808, Graf Lottum was reassigned as the head of the
Military Economy Department. Then, he left the active military service with the title of Councillor of the State. This did not last long however, as he became general major on 3 February 1810. In the war of 1812 against Russia, he was sent by the king to
Warsaw, to negotiate with Emperor
Napoleon the right of passage through Prussian territories. In spring 1813 he was assigned to the
Upper Governmental Commission, which had to lead most state affairs in the absence of the king. In 1814 and 1815, Graf Lottum remained mostly in
Paris, to manage outstanding payments owed by France. After his return in 1817, he quit the army for a second time. In the following he led the financial affairs for the State Council, for a shorter time the external affairs and the financial affairs for the Ministry of the Interior. On 3 August 1828, he was appointed
General of the Infantry by the king. Graf Lottum died in Berlin on 14 February 1841, shortly after his wife. He has been characterized as a hard-working, but gentle person without strong political ambitions. Graf Lottum is an honorary citizen of the city of Berlin. The street Lottumstraße in the district
Prenzlauer Berg is named after him. ==Note==