Born in Ostwig, Province of Westphalia, Ferdinand von Lüninck was married to Auguste Freiin von Gaugreben-Schönau, with whom he had two daughters and three sons. Ferdinand von Lüninck studied law and eventually adopted a career in government. After the First World War, he was until 1922 District Administrator (Landrat) in Neuss. Later, after his father's death, he moved back to his family home to administer the estate, and became active in the Westphalia Landwirtschaftskammer, a body representing and regulating matters relating to rural interests and forests. Within the German National People's Party (Deutschnationale Volkspartei; DNVP) he first supported the course that the Nazis were taking. From 1933 to 1938, he was the premier (Oberpräsident) of the Province of Westphalia, and until 19