Biographies of famous pirates in history

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Pirate Biographies

Throughout history, pirates have both plagued and terrorized virtually all countries and civilizations that have engaged in shipping and trade. This page is mainly about those that operated during the Golden Age of Piracy. Some of these pirates became quite wealthy stealing treasure and cargo sent to and from the New World. Primarily in the area of the Caribbean frequently referred to as the Spanish Main. At that time Port Royal, Jamaica had become the unofficial pirates haven in the region. It was also during this time in history that piracy in the western part of the world reached it's peak. Many of the most prominent figures in piracy (Blackbeard, Every, Bellamy, etc.) earned their infamy during this era.

So many tales have been told about some of these rogues over the centuries, that it can be hard at times to distinguish between truth and fiction, and how far their legends were embellished over time. Below are biographies of some of the most renowned pirates, buccaneers, corsairs, privateers, and others involved in piracy and piracy-related activities, including both captains and prominent crew members. In reading the pirate biographies below you will find that the majority of these famous pirates had very brief careers. Most lasting just a few short years which ended in their deaths. Perhaps the really successful pirates were the ones that were able to pillage and plunder while keeping a low profile in the shadows of obscurity.... one step ahead of the authorities.

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* Thomas Anstis - This notorious pirate sailed with the best of them.

* Samuel Bellamy - Famous for his memorable speeches and flamboyant character.

* Blackbeard - The most infamous pirate of the golden age.

* Black Caesar - Escaped slave turned pirate, later becoming one of Blackbeard's most trusted officers.

* Stedt Bonnet - Nicknamed "The Gentleman Pirate", born into a wealthy family before turning to piracy.

* Anne Bonny - She was by far the best known female pirate.

* John Bowen - Was active in the Indian Ocean, an sailed with several other famous pirates.

* Joseph Bradish - More of a thief than a true pirate.

* Roche Braziliano - Known for his great cruelty and sadism, especially against Spaniards.

* John Callice - This fellow seemed to have had about nine lives...

* Dirk Chivers - A mutineer turned pirate, active in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

* Christopher Condent - He lived to retire in style.

* John Coxon - One of the most lucky and well known pirates.

* Howell Davis - A clever and charming rogue who meet an untimely end.

* Laurens de Graff - Characterised as "a great and mischievous pirate" by Sir Henry Morgan

* Michel de Grammont - Known for attacking large Spanish towns in the Caribbean.

* Benito de Soto - A ruthless scoundrel who meet a fitting end for his deeds.

* John Derdrake - Alias "Jack of the Baltic".

* Jean Thomas Dulaien - Best known to history for his authentic pirate articles and black flag.

* Peter Easton - An extraordinary successful 17th century pirate.

* Edward England - Said to have been the model for Robert Louis Stevenson's character, Long John Silver.

* John Evans - Had a brief but interesting career as a pirate.

* Henry Every - By all accounts Every was the most highly renowned pirate of his time.

* William Fly - A mutineer who briefly raided off the American coast.

* John Gow - His short career in piracy did little to merit the fame he achieved.

* John Halsey - Early 18th century pirate active in the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

* Benjamin Hornigold - Privateer turned pirate, than pirate hunter.

* Walter Kennedy - Seems this fellow was a better thief then pirate.

* William Kidd - Many a story has been written about this unfortunate fellow.

* John King - He was one of the youngest known pirates on record.

* Olivier Levasseur - Nicknamed "la Buse" (the Buzzard) for the speed with which he attacked his targets.

* Francois l'Olonnais - Reputed to be one of the most ruthless and sadistic of pirates.

* George Lowther - Leader of a slave ship mutiny who turned to piracy.

* Edward Mansvelt - Dutch buccaneer known as the Admiral of the Brethren of the Coast.

* James Misson - His story is believe by many today to be fictional.

* Sir Henry Morgan - Pirate or patriot? You decide for yourself.

* Christopher Myngs - Inspired many a rogue to follow in his footsteps.

* Nathaniel North - An unlucky pirate who met a sad end.

* Thomas Paine - American privateer who raided several settlements in the West Indies.

* Manuel Rivero Pardal - A successful Portuguese privateer in the service of Spain.

* John Quelch - Was the first person tried for piracy outside England by Admiralty Law.

* Mary Read - Maybe not as well known as Anne Bonny but just as interesting.

* Jack Rackham - Best known for his exploits with Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

* Bartholomew Roberts - Last of the great age pirates and probably the best of them.

* Bartholomew Sharp - Plundered twenty five Spanish ships and numerous small towns.

* Simon Simonson - Had a very good career in piracy on the barbary coast.

* Thomas Tew - Talented pirate who cheated the gallows awaiting him at Execution Dock.

* Charles Vane - He had a brief yet notorious career.

* Richard Worley - This small time pirate had big ambitions.

* Emanuel Wynne - Is thought to be the first pirate to fly the skull and crossbones flag.

Other Sites About Individual Pirates

* Anne Bonny - The story of this most famous female pirate.

Samuel Bellamy - A great bio on this famous pirate.

* Blackbeard the Pirate - Site has a biography and info on he's ship Queen Anne's Revenge.

* Blackbeard's Realm - All about this most famous pirate in history.

* Sir Francis Drake and the Golden Hind - About this 16th Century explorers voyage around the world.

* Famous Pirates - Biographies of infamous sea robbers.

* Famous Pirates in History - Stories from the Golden Age of Piracy.

* Famous Pirates & Privateers - Short biographies of historic scoundrels.

* Famous Women Pirates - An impressive list of real and fictional sea hellions.

* History of Piracy - Has several good pirate biographies.

* William Kidd - biography of this famous rogue.

* William Kidd, Scottish Pirate - another biography page of Kidd.

* Jean Laffite, Enigma and Legend - Describes his notorious life and times.

* Francois L'Olonnais - Jean David Nau - Biography on this infamous French pirate.

* Henry Morgan - Bio of this famous privateer.

* Henry Morgan: Greatest of the Privateers - Another bio of Sir Morgan.

* Pirates of Lore - Site with biographies and other info.

* Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley - Official site of Anne Chambers, author of Granuaile: Ireland's Pirate Queen

* Mary Read: Women of Action - Details the pirate lore and mystery surrounding Mary Read.

* Bartholomew Roberts - A bio of the notorious Black Bart.

* Bartholomew Roberts - Another bio of this prince of pirates.

Bartholomew Sharp - A good bio of this pirate.

* Cheng I Sao - A biography about this powerful woman pirate.

* Women in Piracy - Excellent resource on the subject.

Pirate Books and Literature

* The Barbary Pirates - Short article about the US fight in the 1800's against these cutthroats.

* The Buccaneers of America - The complete book online.

* Captain Blood - The complete fiction book online.

* Fifty Classic Pirate Books - A book with fifty pirate tales from some of the great classic authors.

* A General History of the Pyrates - The complete book online.

* Historical Pirate Romance Books - List of romance books with pirates or a pirate theme to them.

* The History of Pyrates - The complete book online.

* Isle of Tortuga - Piracy at sea throughout history. Includes biographies and original documents.

* My Very Own Pirate Tale - Children's personalized pirate tale book.

* Naval History of the American Revolution - Written by Gardner W. Allen.

* The Online Books Page - An excellent resource for links to online pirate books.

* Picture Books About Pirates - List of children's picture books.

* Pirate Books - Excellent resource list for pirate books.

* Pirate Books and Resources for Children - Children's books, dvd's, games and more.

* Pirates of the America's, Volume One - Complete piracy book online to read/download.

* Pirate Books for Kids - Best Children's Books about Pirates

* The Pirates Own Book - The complete book online.

* Pirates in Print - Guild to great resource books on the subject.

* Pirate Romance Paperbacks - List of 49 pirate romance books.

* Pirates! Stories and Legends - Some books and pirate tales ta chill yer bones.

* Pirate's Treasure - a Free Story from Children's Storybooks Online

* The Pirate Woman - The complete fiction book online.

* Popular Pirate Books - Nice resource list.

* Recommended Books on Pirate History - Some very good books on the subject.

* The Sea Hawk - The complete fiction book online.

* Treasure Island - The complete fiction book online.

* Treasure Island - Everything you could possibly want to know about Treasure Island.

5 Most ruthless and feared pirates

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