The Most Famous Pirates in History

During the golden age of piracy, the civilized world faced the rise of several pirate captains who terrorized merchant sea routes by boarding and plundering ships in search of valuable goods. We will learn more about some of the main and most famous pirates in history.

William Kidd, who was renowned as one of the most notorious pirates in the world, was also considered to be one of the most unfortunate. Born in Scotland in 1645, he relocated to New York to serve as an apprentice on board a Corsair ship. Initially, he worked as a pirate hunter and subsequently married a wealthy woman a few years later. Later, he was entrusted with the command of a warship and was instructed to pursue the Red Sea Pirates, who had coerced civilians into hiring sailors who turned out to be pirates. After capturing an Indian ship, William was falsely accused of piracy and became a hunted man. He sailed back to New York to evade capture, but was eventually apprehended and imprisoned. He was subsequently sentenced to death in England, and during his execution, the hangman's rope broke, necessitating its replacement to ensure that William Kidd was hanged properly for the second time.

Charles Vane is a mysterious figure from the golden age of piracy, whose date and place of birth remain unknown. Historical accounts depict him as a daring and relentless pirate, first recorded in the early 18th century for plundering Spanish ships in the Gulf of Florida. Despite numerous attempts by privateers to capture him, Charles Vane managed to escape. Notably, when he was surrounded by the British Navy, he set fire to his main ship and sent it directly against the British fleet. However, his crew eventually mutinied against him and removed him from command of his pirate ship. Vane was subsequently trapped on an uninhabited island in the Caribbean, but was later rescued by British sailors. Nevertheless, he was soon identified and ultimately hanged for his crimes in Jamaica in 1721.

Henry Morgan, a notorious pirate, is widely recognized for his terror in the Spanish colonies of the Caribbean during the late 17th century. Despite discreet support from England, Morgan became the head of the Jamaican fleet and managed to wreak havoc on Spanish rule in the region, thus preventing Spanish access to the West Indies. Throughout his career as a pirate, Morgan is said to have plundered more than 400 ships. However, his most significant achievement was the capture of Panama City with 30 ships and 1200 men, which resulted in the acquisition of the largest booty to date. It was this attack on Panama City that led to his arrest and subsequent return to England. However, with the resumption of the war between England and Spain, King Charles II knighted Morgan and appointed him Deputy Governor of Jamaica. Morgan lived the rest of his life as a highly respected aristocrat and farmer until his death.

Francis Drake, a renowned figure in the world of piracy, was regarded as a nobleman by some and an outlaw pirate by others. In 1572, he was granted a commission as a privateer by Queen Elizabeth I, and with his formidable vessel, the Gold French Drake, he led a series of successful assaults on Spanish naval fleets. His tenacity in combat earned him the moniker El draque epípedo, or "the dragon." Notably, Drake was the first Englishman to navigate the Pacific and circumnavigate the globe. His exploits yielded a wealth of treasures, which he shared with Queen Elizabeth. Additionally, Drake played a pivotal role as a naval commander in the defeat of the Spanish Armada, a fleet of ships that attempted to invade England and overthrow the Queen.

Anne Bonny was a female pirate who, like her male counterparts, hailed from Ireland, where she was born in 1698 to a farming family. After relocating to South Carolina, she eventually made her way to the Caribbean, where she embarked on a career as a pirate. Disguising herself as a man, she joined the crew of Captain Calico Jack and engaged in acts of piracy. It is rumored that she and Calico Jack had a clandestine romantic relationship. In October of 1720, Bonny and Jack were captured in Jamaica. Bonny was sentenced to death, but her execution was postponed due to her pregnancy. Following the birth of her child, she was imprisoned with the intention of being executed. However, she was ultimately spared from execution. Some speculate that her father, a wealthy merchant, intervened on her behalf and secured her release from prison.

Bartholomew Roberts, also known by the moniker Blackboard, was a notorious pirate who achieved great success and notoriety throughout history. Born in 1685, Roberts was enslaved on a merchant ship in his youth while residing in south Wales. Following the capture of the ship he was on by pirates, Roberts was forced to join their crew. It was during this time that he realized the potential for piracy as a lucrative opportunity. Roberts was a shrewd and daring individual who conducted his operations across Africa and the Caribbean, amassing a staggering record of over 470 captured ships. This number was considered a record for pirates. However, in 1722, Roberts met his demise in a battle between his crew and the British government. His death marked the end of the golden age of piracy, and it was mourned by many.

Henry Avery, also known as the "king of pirates," gained notoriety for his successful piracy attacks, which remain the most profitable in history. Avery's reputation as a legendary figure among pirates persisted long after his death. Despite limited information regarding his early life, it is known that Avery served in the British Royal Navy before turning to piracy. He and his crew sailed along the African coast, plundering numerous ships, including those of French and Danish origin. Avery's most notable achievement occurred when he collaborated with female pirates to attack a convoy of ships en route to America, resulting in a treasure valued at approximately 100 million dollars in present-day currency. Despite a substantial reward for his capture, Avery evaded authorities and was never apprehended.

François L'Olonnais, a Frenchman, was initially employed as a hired servant on a plantation in America before turning to piracy. He gained notoriety for the ruthless way he treated his opponents and for his successful invasions of numerous cities and ships. One of his most notable exploits was the sacking of Maracaibo in Venezuela, where he pillaged the city and made off with around 200,000 dollars. His reputation for cruelty was cemented when he stormed a warship in Cuba and executed the entire crew. On another occasion, he allegedly took on the guise of a Spanish soldier and conducted a series of attacks. Despite his many triumphs, his death was just as gruesome. François was stranded on a sandbank off the coast of Panama and was later captured by a tribe of cannibals who consumed him.

Ching Shih, a woman born into poverty in Guanzu, China, is widely regarded as one of the most successful pirates in history. In 1801, she married a pirate and together they consolidated control over several rival pirate gangs, forming a great Confederacy. However, her husband passed away in 1807, leaving Ching Shih to take sole control of the Pirate Confederacy. Through alliances and a strict code of laws, she secured control over the pirates and was eventually referred to as the "Queen of Pirates". At the height of her power, Ching Shih controlled a fleet of 1,200 ships manned by approximately 70,000 pirates. In 1810, she dissolved the Confederacy and negotiated a generous surrender agreement with the Chinese government. Remarkably, the pirates were not only pardoned for their crimes, but some were even allowed to keep their ships and join the Chinese Navy.

Edward Teach, commonly known as Blackbeard, is a renowned figure in the annals of piracy. He was both feared and revered by his contemporaries in the West Indies, and his persona was characterized by a demonic aura. Blackbeard's vessel, the Queen Anne's Revenge, is among the most celebrated pirate ships in history. He commanded a formidable fleet of pirates that successfully captured over 45 ships. However, in 1718, Blackbeard was ambushed by the British Royal Navy, which marked the end of his reign on the North American coast. Following a fierce battle, Blackbeard's crew was apprehended, and his head was displayed at the front of the ship as a warning to other pirates. The tales of Blackbeard and his buried treasures have become legendary and have been immortalized in numerous narratives.