Ulrich Wilhelm de Roepstorff

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 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 in 1753, In 1757, he was promoted to first lieutenant. 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.

Later life and legacy

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