1. Edward Teach (“Blackbeard”)
Blackbeard is arguably the most infamous pirate to ever sail the seas. Born Edward Teach around 1680 in England, he became notorious during the Golden Age of Piracy. His fearsome appearance — a massive black beard and slow-burning fuses in his hat during battle — was as much psychological warfare as it was theatrical. He captained the Queen Anne’s Revenge, a captured French slave ship outfitted with 40 guns, and terrorized the American East Coast and the Caribbean. Despite popular legend, Blackbeard wasn’t known for excessive violence; instead, he relied on intimidation to get what he wanted. His career ended violently in 1718 when British naval forces ambushed and killed him off the coast of North Carolina after a fierce and bloody fight.
2. Anne Bonny
Anne Bonny was one of the few female pirates to make a lasting impact in a male-dominated world. Born in Ireland around 1700, she moved to the Americas with her family and eventually fell in with pirates in the Bahamas. She partnered with pirate Calico Jack Rackham and became famous not just for her gender, but for her fierce temper and courage in combat. She disguised herself as a man during raids and was reportedly more brutal and fearless than some of her male counterparts. After being captured in 1720, she escaped execution by “pleading the belly” (claiming to be pregnant). Her final fate remains a mystery, adding to her enduring legend.
3. Bartholomew Roberts (“Black Bart”)
Bartholomew Roberts was one of the most successful pirates of all time, capturing over 400 ships during his brief but intense career. A Welshman born in 1682, he initially had no interest in piracy until he was forced into it by captors — but he took to it with enthusiasm. Unlike many pirates, Roberts was known for his strict discipline aboard ship, banning drinking and gambling. He dressed extravagantly, often in crimson and feathers, and carried himself like nobility. He operated primarily off the coast of West Africa and in the Caribbean, hitting major European shipping routes. Roberts was killed in 1722 during a battle with the British navy, and his death effectively marked the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.
4. Ching Shih (Zheng Yi Sao)
Ching Shih was a Chinese pirate queen who commanded one of the largest pirate fleets in history. Born in 1775, she was originally a prostitute in Canton before marrying the pirate Zheng Yi. After his death, she took over his Red Flag Fleet, which at its peak had over 300 ships and 20,000 men. She enforced a strict code of conduct, executing those who disobeyed or harmed women. The Chinese navy, Portuguese, and British all failed to defeat her. Unusually, she retired peacefully after negotiating a pardon with the Chinese government and lived to an old age — a rarity among pirates.
5. Henry Morgan
Sir Henry Morgan was a Welsh privateer who blurred the line between legitimate naval warfare and outright piracy. Operating in the Caribbean during the mid-1600s, he gained fame for his daring raids on Spanish settlements, including the sacking of Panama City. He often acted under English authority, giving his exploits a veneer of legality. Morgan amassed considerable wealth and was eventually knighted and made Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. His brutal tactics, including torture and slaughter, were common even among pirates of his era. Despite his violent past, he died comfortably of natural causes — a surprising end for someone who lived by the sword.
6. William Kidd (“Captain Kidd”)
Captain William Kidd began as a respectable privateer but ended his life as a convicted pirate. Born in Scotland around 1654, he was hired by the British Crown to protect shipping routes from pirates and the French. However, his crew pressured him into attacking non-enemy ships, and soon he crossed the line into piracy. His capture of the Quedagh Merchant, a wealthy Armenian ship, proved to be his undoing. Kidd returned to New York thinking he could clear his name, but he was arrested, sent to London, and hanged in 1701. His supposed buried treasure has inspired countless treasure hunts, keeping his legend alive.
7. Calico Jack Rackham
John “Calico Jack” Rackham was known more for his flamboyant style and infamous companions than for naval success. His nickname came from the brightly colored calico clothing he favored. Rackham operated mainly in the Caribbean during the early 18th century and is most remembered for sailing with Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the most fearsome female pirates in history. His flag, featuring a skull with crossed swords, became one of the most iconic symbols of piracy. Although not a particularly successful pirate in terms of plunder, he was bold and romanticized in stories. He was captured and hanged in 1720, with his body displayed as a warning to others.
8. Mary Read
Mary Read, like Anne Bonny, disguised herself as a man to serve in both the military and on pirate ships. Born in England in the late 1600s, she adopted male clothing early on to gain independence and opportunity. She fought bravely in wars before turning to piracy, where she joined forces with Calico Jack and Anne Bonny. Her combat prowess was noted even by her enemies, and she was known for fighting fiercely until the end. When their ship was captured, only Mary and Anne resisted arrest while the male crew hid below decks. Like Anne, she escaped execution by claiming pregnancy, but she died in prison shortly after.
9. François l’Olonnais
François l’Olonnais was a French buccaneer known for his sheer brutality and cruelty. Active in the Caribbean during the 1660s, he specialized in attacking Spanish ships and towns. He gained notoriety for torturing prisoners and showing no mercy to captives, once reportedly cutting out a man’s heart and eating it to strike fear into others. Despite his savagery, he was a skilled strategist and managed several successful raids, including a notorious one on Maracaibo in present-day Venezuela. His reign of terror ended when he was captured by an indigenous tribe in Central America, who executed him in a particularly gruesome fashion. His legacy endures as one of the most violent pirates in history.
10. Stede Bonnet
Stede Bonnet was known as “The Gentleman Pirate” because he was a wealthy landowner who turned to piracy out of personal discontent rather than poverty. Born in Barbados in 1688, he abandoned his plantation, bought a ship, and hired a crew — a highly unusual path into piracy. He lacked nautical experience and often deferred to others in command, including at times Blackbeard himself, with whom he partnered briefly. Bonnet’s attempts at piracy were plagued with poor leadership and bad luck, leading to frequent captures and escapes. Despite his awkward fit in the pirate world, he stuck with it until he was finally caught and hanged in 1718. His story has gained popularity in modern media due to its ironic and tragic twist.
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