Adam Christopher (von) Knuth (28 September 1687 - 23 January 1736) was the first Count of Knuthenborg. He established the manor of Knuthenlund. He was married twice, first to Hedevig Ulrikke Luxdorph and second time to Ida Margrethe von Reventlow.

Knuth was born as the son of Eggert Christopher von Knuth and Søster Knuth née Lerche. His mother inherited the estate Årsmarke on Lolland in 1791. He studied at the Knight's Academy in Copenhagen from 1705 to 1707 and also went on a journey to the Netherlands and England in 1707.

Knuth was appointed chamberlain in 1710. His mother converted Årsmarke into a countship for her eldest son when, in 1714, Adam Christoffer von Knuth was elevated to the status of a count under Frederick IV which resulted in the change of the estate to Knuthenborg. He later extended the estate through the acquisition of more land on several occasions.^[1] He established the manor of Knuthenlund in 1820.^[2]

Knuth's first wife brought Rosengaard, Sandbygaard and Sørupgaard into the marriage.^[3] He purchased Lundegaard on Lolland in 1727. He established Sørup Hospital in 1720.

He was awarded the White Ribbon in 1728 and title of Gehejmeråd in 1731.

Knuth married twice. His first wife was Hedevig Ulrikke Luxdorph (died 1720), a daughter of Bolle Luxdorph. They were married on 26 June 1713 in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen. She brought Sørup at Ringsted into the marriage. They had one child, the daughter Frederikke Louise, Countess Knuth (1720–1793), who would later marry Vilhelm lensbaron Güldencrone (1701–1747).

Knuth's second wife was Ida Margrethe von Reventlow (1701–1757), a daughter of datter af gehejmeråd Ditlev Reventlow. They were married on 16 December 1721 and had the following children:

• Eggert Christopher, Count Knuth of Knuthenborg (1722–1776) – the progenitor of the Knuthenborg line.
• Søster Ulrikke, Countess Knuth (1723–1741)
• Ditlev baron Knuth (1726–1727)
• Frederik Gustav, Baron Knuth (1727–1750)
• Christian Frederik, Baron Knuth of Christiansdal (1728–1801) – progenitor of the Christiansdal line(Lilliendal)
• Conrad Ditlev, Baron Knuth of Conradsborg (1730–1805) – progenitor of the Conradsborg line
• Sophie Magdalene, Countess Knuth (1732–1790), married Georg Frederik von Holstein (1717–1772)
• Adam Levin baron Knuth (1735–1737)

Adam Christopher Knuth died on 23 January 1746 and was buried in Hunseby Church. Gis widow then managed the estates until their eldest son was old enough to take over the operations. She also converted Rosengaard, Sandbygaard and Sørupgaard into a barony under the name Vonradsborg for their son Conrad Knuth.