Von Keudell was born in Castellamare di Stabia, Naples, Italy, on 17 July 1884.

[1] He was the oldest son of Robert von Keudell, German diplomat and a member of the Reichstag.

From 1916 to 1920 von Keudell was the Landrat (district administrator) at Königsberg (Neumark) (today, Chojna).

As a result of the failed Kapp Putsch, which he supported, von Keudell had to retire and worked as a farmer at Gut Hohenlübbichow.

[9] On 1 May 1936, Göring promoted him to Staatssekretär (State Secretary) and made him his permanent deputy (ständiger Vertreter des Reichsforstmeisters).