Joachim Irgens von Westervick

Joachim Irgens, the later Baron Von Westervick was a Dano-Norwegian nobleman, landowner and official with mining interests in Norway.

Although he was born in the merchant family, Irgens studied medicine and began his career as a valet in the service of the King Christian IV. Since he was interested in mining, he was sent to Norway in 1646 as part of the king’s entourage. The king granted him a privilege for working the Røros Copperwork, which ensured him a large profits. Part of his incomes Irgens lent to the Danish king who was in war receiving the valuable crown estates instead. Thus Irgens became the owner of big parts of Northern Norway except Finnmark. In 1674 he was ennobled under the name von Westervick becoming a member of the Danish and the Norwegian nobility. He was married to Cornelia Bickers, the daughter of the merchant, politician and the Mayor of Amsterdam, Andries Bicker.

Joachim von Westervick died in 1675. Since he was heavily in debt, part of his estates went to creditors.