De Vos van Steenwijk came from a noble landowning and politically active family.

From 7 June 1846 until 23 February 1853 he was a member of the States-Provincial of Overijssel, first for the nobility (Ridderschap), 1846–1850, and later for the constituencies of Kampen and Steenwijk, 1850–1853.

He would later resign this post on 1 January 1882, stating financial reasons for not being able to move to the Utrecht home of the King's Commissioner.

He was a cousin of Jan Arend Godert de Vos van Steenwijk, King's Commissioner for the province of Drenthe.

He was an uncle of Godert Willem de Vos van Steenwijk, member of the senate, and a second cousin to Jan Willem Jacobus de Vos van Steenwijk, member of the house of representatives.