Ulrich Wilhelm de Roepstorff (12 July 1729 – 2 April 1821) was a Danish colonial administrator and landowner. He served as Governor-General of the Danish West Indies from 177273. He owned a couple of ships that sailed in the Danish West Indies Trade as well as a sugar refinery in Odense. In 1810, on the basis of his

Funen Funen ( da, Fyn, ), with an area of , is the third-largest island of Denmark, after Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy. It is the 165th-largest island in the world. It is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 469,947 as of ...

estates, acquired after his return to Denmark, he was able to establish the County of Roepstorff. He was succeeded as Count of Roepstorff by his nephew Alexander von Petersdorff.

Early life and education

Roepstorff was the son of major and later colonel lieutenant Christian Frederik de Roepstorff (1689–1741) and Christiane Marie de Röbern (1703–75). He was most likely born in Oldenburg.

Career

Roepstorff became a volunteer cadet in 1741, a cadet in 1746 and a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

in 1753, In 1757, he was promoted to

first lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a s ...

. In 1760 he was sent to the Danish West Indies but he was already sent back to Denmark the following year after a complaint from a superior officer. The case resulted in a warning. In 1763, he was promoted to captain lieutenant. In 1765, he was appointed as Governor of St. Thomas with rank of colonel lieutenant. Roepstorff c

At Christian VII's ascent to the throne in 1766, governor-general Christian Lebrecht Prøck lost his support at court, and instead Peter Clausen was reappointed as governor-general, as the new king wanted a man who could more effectively collect the planters' debts to the state. The harsh manner in which Clausen tackled the planters resulted in disputes with other colonial administrators, including Roepstorff, with the outcome that Clausen complained to the General Customs Chamber () about him. Clausen was subsequently recalled. In 1771, when Striense dismissed Claussen as part of the old regime, Roepstorff was installed as governor-general instead. However, the fall of Struensee also led to the dismissal of Roepstorff in 1773, and for the third time Clausen took over the office as governor-general.

Later life and legacy

After his return to Denmark, Roepstorff settled as a landowner on

. In 1783 he bought Østergård, which he owned until 1801. In 1795, he increased his holdings with the acquisition of the baronies of Korup and Einsidelsborg. In 1810, on the basis of these holdings, he was able to establish the County of Roepstorff. In the late 18th century, he was the owner of a couple of ships active in the West Indies trade. He also established a sugar refinery in Odense. Roepstorff never married. He created two hospitals on his estates. He got the Royal Porcelain Manufactory to start production of a series of punch bowls with the Battle of Copenhagen as a motif. He died on 2 April 1821 at Einsidelsborg (now Egebjerggård). He donated large sums to charity and created several endowments. He is buried in Krogsbølle Churchyard. His holdings passed to his nephew Alexander von Petersdorff.

References

{{reflist 18th-century Danish naval officers 18th-century Danish landowners 19th-century Danish landowners Governors of the Danish West Indies 1729 births 1821 deaths 1770s in the Danish West Indies 1760s in the Danish West Indies