List of pirates


This is a list of known pirates, buccaneers, corsairs, privateers, river pirates, and others involved in piracy and piracy-related activities. This list includes both captains and prominent crew members. For a list of female pirates, see women in piracy. For pirates of fiction or myth, see list of fictional pirates.

Ancient World: 315 BC–197 AD

NameLifeYears activeCountry of originComments
Pontus Was the leader of an unsuccessful anti-Roman uprising in Pontus in 69
Gannascusd. 47AD 41–47Cananefates Deserted Cananefate soldier. Leading pirate raids of the Chauci into province Gallia Belgica between AD 41–47, when he was captured by the Romans.
Pharos His actions precipitated the Second Illyrian War.
GreecePhocaean admiral active against Carthaginian and Tyrsenian merchants in the years following the Greco–Persian Wars.
190–197ChinaHis party carried bells as their trademark to frighten the commoners.
IllyriaQueen regent, fostered the pirates among her people, and had a Roman diplomat killed by them.
IllyriaWas accused by the Romans of organizing and aiding pirate raids in Italy.
GreeceGreek inscriptions of the Athenian navy raiding his base on Kynthnos Island and capturing him and his men read "making the sea safe for those that sailed thereon."
RomeHe was the last focus of opposition to the Second Triumvirate.

Middle Ages: 400–1585

NameLifeYears ActiveCountry of originComments
1516–15761540sEnglandAn English privateer. Raided Spanish ports with James Logan and William Cooke.
1190sCyprusA Cypriot Greek pirate. Raided Cypriot coasts and abducted the royal family.
1340–14081380sEnglandAn English mayor, privateer and alleged pirate. Raided in the English Channel.
1432–1448EnglandEnglish pirate active in the Thames and English Channel. Associate of William Kyd.
1480–1551FranceA French ship-owner who provided ships to Francis I for exploration of the globe.
1474–15181503–1518Ottoman EmpireAn Ottoman privateer and Bey of Algiers and Beylerbey of the West Mediterranean.
ScandinaviaShe and some of her female friends dressed like sailors and commandeered a ship.
1504–1545Ottoman EmpireAn Ottoman privateer and later Admiral who dominated the Mediterranean for decades.
1394–1405Germany A Pomeranian duke supporting privateers in the Baltic Sea region and later going on pirate raids himself.
1370–1415ProcidaAntipope during the Western Schism, John XXIII was accused of—among other crimes—piracy, incest and sodomy.
1300–13591343–1356BrittanyA French-Breton pirate. She raided French towns and ships in the English Channel.
1305–1332FlandersFlemish pirate known for his successful use of a ship-mounted catapult. Once won the favor of Robert the Bruce and acted as a naval officer for England during the Hundred Years' War
Netherlands From Arum, Friesland. Known as Grutte Pier 'big Pier' because of his length. Another nickname was 'Cross of the Dutchmen'. A Frisian warrior, pirate, freedom fighter, folk hero and rebel. Mainly active with his band De Arumer Zwarte Hoop 'Arum's Black Heap' at the Zuyderzee, the Netherlands.
1445–?NorwayA nobleman from Norway, plundered German ships in the Sognefjord.
Germany The first king of the Nordic Kalmar Union, he spent his last years living on the island of Gotland and "sent forth piratical expeditions against friend and foe alike".
NorwayHe was a favorite of the Queen, yet committed countless acts of piracy throughout his life
FranceHe was a mercenary for both England and France.
FranceFrench privateer and naval officer under Jean Ango. Seized three Spanish ships carrying Aztec treasure from Mexico to Spain in 1523.
County of BoulogneBoulognese pirate who played a role in the First Crusade.
1545–1589Faroe IslandsFaroese naval hero and privateer. Was executed for piracy, though charges were later dropped.
1560–1573GermanyA 16th-century pirate who raided shipping in the North Sea until his defeat and capture by a fleet from Hamburg
Germany The nephew of Pier Gerlofs Donia, fought along his side against the Saxon and Hollandic invaders.
EnglandEnglish pirate active in South West England during the early-to-mid-15th century.
1392–1402GermanyA German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers
1480–1526GermanyDied in Mandal, Norway. One of the most feared pirates in his time
GermanyA pirate and privateer operating in the North Sea. Often partnered with Hans Pothorst.
GermanyA pirate and privateer operating in the North Sea. Often partnered with Didrik Pining.
Ottoman EmpireA Turkish privateer and Ottoman admiral.
1485–1565Ottoman EmpireA Turkish privateer and Ottoman admiral as well as Bey of Algiers; Beylerbey of the Mediterranean; and first Bey later Pasha of Tripoli.
1360–14011392–1401GermanyA German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers
RussiaA leader of a gang of river pirates, along the Don River region, of Russia and later, led an expedition, in the Russian conquest of Siberia, in the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.
NorwayA Norwegian nobleman-turned pirate and privateer. Operated in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Gave up piracy in 1542 and eventually, became admiral of the Danish-Norwegian Fleet.
GermanySecond leader of Victual Brothers, plundered and burned down the Norwegian city Bergen in 1429
1370–14021392–1402GermanyA German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers
1404–1447GermanyA pirate active during political conflicts between Dithmarschen and North Frisia in the early 15th century.
1365–14021392–1402GermanyA German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers
EnglandHe was a bishop who became a seafaring warlord adventurer.

Rise of the English Sea Dogs and Dutch Corsairs: 1560–1650

NameLifeYears ActiveCountry of originComments
1519–15871536–1550TurkeyAn Italian-born Muslim corsair, who later became an Ottoman admiral and Chief Admiral of the Ottoman Fleet in the 16th century.
early 17th century1603EnglandActive in the Ionian Sea.
1519–15741565SpanishA Spanish Admiral and pirate hunter, de Aviles is remembered for his destruction of the French settlement of Fort Caroline in 1565.
early 17th century1629–1645EnglandAn English privateer in Dutch service, Axe served with English forces in the Dutch Revolt against Habsburg rule.
1466–1511to 1511ScotlandServed under a Scottish letter of marque, but was described a pirate by English and Portuguese.
d. 16631640–1663NetherlandsOne of the last Dutch corsairs of the mid-17th century, Blauvelt mapped much of South America.
1550s–1560sFranceKnown for his sacking of Santiago de Cuba in 1554
early 16th century1559–1572FranceActive in the Caribbean Sea. He attacked Santa Marta, Cartagena de Indias, Rio de Hacha and Margarita island.
early 17th century1602Netherlandsde Bouff served as a Dunkirker in Habsburg service during the Dutch Revolt.
c. 1630–1671?c. 1654–1671Netherlands,BrazilianPirate born in the town of Groningen, long residence of Dutch colony of Brasil. Active in the Caribbean and captain of pirates of Jamaica. Known for his fury and great cruelty and sadism, especially against Spaniards.
1581–16431600,
1643
NetherlandsBrouwer was a privateer who fought the Habsburgs during the Dutch revolt, holding the city of Castro, Chile hostage for a period of two months.
b. 15781639EnglandDespite a comparatively unsuccessful career as a privateer, Butler was later colonial governor of Bermuda.
c. 1558–1587?c. 1574–1587EnglandWelsh pirate active along the southern coast of Wales.
1560–15921587–1592EnglandThe first man to intentionally circumnavigate the globe, Cavendish also raided numerous Spanish towns and ships in the New World.
17th century1625–1635NetherlandsA Flemish admiral who served as privateer and one of the Dunkirkers in Spanish Habsburg service during the Dutch Revolt, responsible for the destruction of at least 150 fishing boats.
1587–16601621–1627NetherlandsFormer Dutch corsair and privateer, he later became a pirate and was successful in capturing hundreds of ships in Europe, the Barbary coast and West Africa.
d. 1601?1598–1601NetherlandsA Dutch corsair who fought against the Spanish during the early 17th century.
d. 16111600s–1610sNetherlandsDutch corsair and privateer who later became a Barbary corsair based in Algiers and Tunis during the early 17th century. He and John Ward dominated the Western Mediterranean during the early 17th century.
1540–15961563–1596EnglandKnown as "el Draque", he was an Elizabethan corsair who raided Spanish merchant shipping on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I.
1570–16191602EnglandA privateer, then pirate, who was able to retire in Villefranche, Savoy with an estimated worth of two million pounds.
fl. 16221620sSpainOne of the Spanish privateers who accompanied Jan Jacobsen on his last voyage in 1622.
c. 1565–?c. 1584–1603EnglandElizabethan Sea Dog active in the West Indies up until the turn of the 17th century.
15681628WalesFrom 1600 to 1603, Griffith was active against Spanish shipping.
1532–15951554, 1564, 1567EnglandAn Elizabethan corsair active off the coasts of West Africa and Venezuela. His work in ship design was important during the threat of invasion from the Spanish Armada.
1577–16291628NetherlandsAfter serving as a Spanish galley slave for four years, Hein later captured 11,509,524 guilders of cargo from the Spanish treasure fleet.
early 17th century1620s and 1630sNetherlandsDutch pirate of Portuguese Sephardic Jewish origin active in the Caribbean against Spain and Brazil against Portugal
1609–16531644–1653EnglandMaryland privateer and pirate. In an extension of the English Civil War in the Catholic colony of Maryland he and the Puritan settlers raided ships belonging to Catholics and the colonial governor Lord Baltimore. Ingle seized control of the Maryland capital briefly and was later hanged for piracy.
fl. 1628–16301620sNetherlandsDutch corsair and privateer. Commanded one of the earliest and largest expeditions against the Portugal and Spain in the Caribbean during 1628.
d. 16221610s–1620sNetherlandsFlemish-born privateer in English service during the Eighty Years' War.
fl. 1624–16251620sNetherlandsDutch corsair who accompanied Pieter Schouten on one of the first major expeditions to the West Indies.
fl. 16001600sNetherlandsDutch corsair based in Duinkerken and one time officer under Jacques Colaert.
1570–after 1641Republic of SaléKnown also as Murad Reis, originally Dutch, he was a fighter captured by the Algerian corsairs who converted to Islam in 1618. He began serving as a Navy fighter in Algiers, then after gaining experience there, he was invited to join the 17th-century "Salé Rovers".
1643–16821662–1682ChinaChinese pirate and warlord. The eldest son of Koxinga and grandson of Zheng Zhilong, he succeeded his father as ruler of Tainan and briefly occupied Fujian.
1597–16411630s–1640sNetherlandsDutch corsair successful against the Spanish in the West Indies. One of the first to use a wooden peg leg.
16th-early 17th centuriesJapanJapanese pirate and one of the first Japanese with whom the southern Vietnamese kingdom of the Nguyễn Lords made contact.
fl. –16181595/1596–1617EnglandLawrence Keymis was a seaman and companion of Sir Walter Raleigh in his expeditions to Spanish colony of Guayana in 1595 and 1617 to search for England El Dorado. In another expedition in 1596 led a force inland Guayana along the banks of the Essequibo River, reaching what he wrongly believed to be Lake Parime.
1554–16181591–1603EnglandElizabethan Sea Dog active in India during the late 16th century. Later a chief director for the East India Company.
d. 1610EnglandAn English pirate who set up base in the Outer Hebrides and was active around Ireland and Scotland. He was betrayed by the outlaw Neil MacLeod and executed in 1610.
1583–16271627NetherlandsHendrick captured 1.2 million guilders from a Honduran treasure fleet, but was mortally wounded in the process.
1587–16531610–1616EnglandEnglish privateer and pirate hunter. His pirate fleet nearly broke the truce between England and Spain following the Anglo-Spanish War.
mid-16th century1572–1576AlbaniaActive in the Narrow Sea. He was the squadron admiral and the supreme commander of all Islamic vessels in North Africa and Pasha Algiers, known as the most formidable corsair of that period.
b. Late 1500Early 1600Spain or NetherlandsPlundered the water between Iceland and Norway, and the coast of Finnmark and Nordland. Hunted down and captured by Admiral Jørgen Daa and explorer Jens Munk by order of King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway. Mendoza was executed by hanging in Copenhagen. The king recovered 8 treasure chests of gold coins, each chest requerd 10 man to lift.
1558–16271598–1601NetherlandsDespite his venture being of limited success, it was the inspiration that led to the formation of the Dutch East India Company.
1585–16521617EnglandRoger North was a seaman and companion of Sir Walter Raleigh in his expeditions to Spanish colony of Guayana in 1617 to search for England El Dorado. North in 1619 petitioned for letters patent authorising him to establish the king's right to the coast and country adjoining the River Amazon; to found a plantation or settlement there, and to open a direct trade with the natives.
1620–1623EnglandAn English pirate active in Newfoundland.
1530–16031560s–1600sIrelandAn important figure in Irish legend who is still present in popular culture today.
1536–15801570s–1600sEnglandElizabethan Sea Dog and associate of Sir Frances Drake during the early years of the Anglo-Spanish War. First English privateer to enter the Pacific though Panama.
d. 16171590s–1600sEnglandElizabethan Sea Dog active in the West Indies. Successfully captured Porto Bello and Margarita island in 1602 without firing a shot. He also captured and held for ransom the Cubagua pearl-boats and captured a Portuguese slave ship.
Ali Pegelinc. 1605–1645NetherlandsAlso known as Pisselingh, from Vlissingen. Was for 40 years one of the most prominent pirates of Algiers. Settled in 1645 in Algiers with great fortune.
fl. 16221620sSpainHe and Juan Garcia who joined Jan Jacobsen on his final voyage in 1622.
c. ?–1609c. 1595–1597EnglandElizabethan Sea Dog as part of expedition of Walter Raleigh in 1595 sacked Caracas and Coro with George Somers.
fl. 1554–16181595–1617EnglandElizabethan corsair who commanded two expeditions to search for England the fabled "El Dorado" in the Spanish colony of Guayana.
fl. 16261620sNetherlandsFormer Dutch privateer turned Barbary corsair. He attacked the Dutch ship St. Jan Babtista under Jacob Jacobsen of Ilpendam on March 7, 1626.
1506–16081534–1608RhodesAn Ottoman Albanian privateer and Ottoman admiral who took part in all of the early naval campaigns of Turgut Reis.
17th century1630sEnglandA lieutenant on the ship Warwick, then part of a fleet under the command of Nathaniel Butler, he later took part in a privateering expedition between May–September 1639.
1500–15601623–1645FranceFrench nobleman and adventurer who, through his friendship with King Francis, became the first Lieutenant General of New France. As a corsair he attacked towns and shipping throughout the Spanish Main, from Cuba to Colombia. He died in Paris as one of the first Huguenot martyrs.
1607–1640EnglandEnglish privateer in the English West Indies.
1631–17101660s–1670sNetherlandsA Dutch corsair active against the English during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch War. His capture of The Falcon, an East India Company merchantman, was one of the most valuable prizes captured during the late-17th century.
fl. 16361630sNetherlandsDutch corsair in the service of Spain. Was part of a three ship squadron under Jacques Colaert and was captured with him after a five-hour battle with Jan Evertsen.
fl. 1636–16451630s–1640sNetherlandsDutch corsair and privateer based on Providence Island. He was involved in privateering expeditions for the Providence Island Company and later commander of Fort Henry.
d. 16271620sNetherlandsDutch corsair active in the West Indies. Reportedly killed with a number of colonists attempting to establish one of the first colonies on the Wiapoco in Dutch Guiana.
fl. 1624–16251620sNetherlandsDutch corsair who led one of the Dutch expeditions to the West Indies.
c. 1564–1610c. 1595–1607EnglandElizabethan Sea Dog in 1595 sacked Caracas and Coro with Amyas Preston. Active in the West Indies up until the turn of the 17th century.
16th century1555FranceA French pirate whose sole documented act was his attack and burning of Havana in 1555.
1529–1599JapanOne of the most powerful feudal lords of Kyūshū and one of the first lords to allow trading with Europeans
1509–15731560s–1570sFranceFrench privateer, explorer and cartographer. First navigator to chart Australia in 1531.
fl. 1628–16291620sNetherlandsDutch corsair who commanded a Dutch West India Company expedition to Brazil bringing back over 12 Portuguese and Spanish prizes.
Nicholas Valiermiddle 16th century1567FranceA French hugonote privateer that plundered Borburata, Coro and Curazao
d. 16201600s–1610sNetherlandsDe Veenboer meaning the Peat Bog Farmer. Former Dutch corsair and privateer. Later became a Barbary corsair under Simon the Dancer and eventually commanded the Algiers corsair fleet.
1584–16151608–1610EnglandEnglish nobleman who left behind his inheritance to become a Barbary corsair.
fl. 16341620s–1630sNetherlandsDutch admiral and corsair. Captured Curaçao in 1634 and later served as governor.
1552–16221603–1610sEnglandA notorious English pirate around the turn of the 17th century who later became a Barbary Corsair operating out of Tunis during the early 1600s.
1571–16331590s–1630sNetherlandsDutch admiral who led Dutch corsairs on the first major privateering expedition to the West Indies.
fl. 16221620sNetherlandsDutch corsair in Spanish service. In February 1622, attacked a fishing fleet from the Veere and Maasmond sinking several ships and bringing back the survivors to ransom in Duinkerken.
fl. 16241620sNetherlandsDutch corsair who accompanied Pieter Schouten in his expedition to the West Indies.
16th century1551–1555ChinaOne of the chief figures among the wokou of the 16th century.
1604–16621623–1645ChinaA convert to Christianity, Zhilon collaborated with Dutch forces, helping to create a monopoly on trade with Japan.
fl. 16241620sNetherlandsDutch corsair active against the Portuguese in West Africa.

Age of the Buccaneers: 1650–1690

NameLifeYears activeCountry of originComments
d. 1657ItalyOriginally a Knight of Malta, Alessandri was captured and enslaved.
17th century1679–1699EnglandBuccaneer who attacked Puerto Bello and Panama, became a merchant captain, aided the Scottish at Darien.
1674–1675NetherlandsHe is best known for attacking English traders off Acadia and for serving in King Philip's War.
17th century1680sNetherlandsDutch merchant-pirate. Associated with Thomas Paine and Laurens de Graff.
d. 1689EnglandSailed with Henry Morgan and participated in his raids against Maracaibo and Gibraltar, Venezuela.
d. 16871680–1687EnglandFormer merchant captain who operated in the Caribbean and defeated two Royal Navy ships in battle.
1651–17021672–1697FranceBorn the son of a fisherman, Bart retired an admiral in French service.
17th century1666–1668FrancePirate and flibustier from the Kingdom of Navarre in the southwest of France. He is best known as a companion of François L'Olonnais, with whom he sacked Maracaibo and Gibraltar.
1684–1689EnglandEnglish pirate active in the Caribbean who also served with the Spanish and French.
17th century1650–1669FranceWas one of the first foreign privateers awarded a letter of marque by the governor of Jamaica
fl. 16601650s–1660sNetherlandsDutch corsair and slave trader for the Dutch West India Company.
d. 16951677–1695FranceRaided Spanish settlements in Central and South America, later sailed as a privateer. Used "L'essone" as a pseudonym.
17th century1660sEnglandA female pirate, she later commanded her own ship. Her story first appeared in 1836 and she may have been fictional.
1653–17431680–1684EnglandBlackburne was an English clergyman, who became Archbishop of York, and – in popular belief – a pirate.
d. 16791670sSpainSpanish renegade active in the Spanish Main during the 1670s. Tried in absentia and convicted of piracy with Bartolomé Charpes and Juan Guartem in Panama in 1679.
George Bond17th century1683–1684EnglandActive in the Caribbean, known for acting in league with the pirate-friendly Governor of St. Thomas, Adolph Esmit.
17th century1680sFranceFrench buccaneer active in the Caribbean.
17th centurymid-17th centuryFranceA flibustier in the latter half of the mid-17th century. He is best known for capturing a Spanish ship after being shipwrecked, though his story is possibly apocryphal.
1653–16861679–1686FranceFrench pirate and buccaneer active in the Caribbean. He was closely associated with fellow corsair Michel de Grammont.
17th century1676–1677ScotlandScottish pirate and privateer active in the Caribbean. He is best known for his hasty execution and the effects it had on colonial Jamaican government.
fl. 16451640sNetherlandsDutch renegade and Dunkirker in the service of Spain.
1646–1715168?–1697FranceBorn to Huguenot parents, du Casse was allowed to join the French navy on the value of his prizes taken while a buccaneer.
d. 16791680sSpainSpanish renegade who was tried in absentia and convicted of piracy with Eduardo Blomar and Juan Guartem in Panama by Governor Don Dionicio Alceda in 1679.
1688–1689FranceFrench pirate and buccaneer active in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa. He is best known for sailing alongside Jean-Baptiste du Casse as well as for his Articles, or "Pirate Code."
1682–1683EnglandActive in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa. He is best remembered for leaving behind a well-documented Pirate Code, his "Articles of Agreement".
17th century1668–1671EnglandServed as Sir Henry Morgan's second-in-command throughout much of his expeditions against Spain during the mid-17th century.
17th century1673–1683EnglandMerchant captain, buccaneer, and pirate. He is best known for sailing against the Spanish alongside Bartholomew Sharp, John Coxon, Basil Ringrose, Lionel Wafer, and other famous buccaneers. Cooke's flag was red-and-yellow striped and featured a hand holding a sword.
John Cookd. 16831680sEnglandEnglish buccaneer who led an expedition against the Spanish in the early 1680s.
1687–?IrelandIrish pirate supposedly active in the Red Sea and off the west coast of Africa. He succeeded William Lewis, who was killed after announcing he'd made a pact with the Devil. Lewis and Cornelius are likely the fictional creations of Captain Charles Johnson, who presented their stories among those of real historical pirates.
d. 16851680–1685SpainCorsican guarda costa, hunted logwood cutters, known for his brutality.
d. 16891677–1682EnglandOne of the most famous of the Brethren of the Coast, a loose consortium of pirates and privateers who were active on the Spanish Main.
d. 16751668–1675IrelandCruised both northern Europe and the West Indies, during and after the Anglo-Dutch Wars.
1651–17151670–1688EnglandWas the first person to circumnavigate the world three times.
17th century1680–1688EnglandLed the last major buccaneer raid against Panama.
18th centuryEnglandDavis was one of the earliest and most active buccaneers on Jamaica.
17th century1660sFranceDelahaye was a French Buccaneer, likely fictional; if real, would have been one of the very few female buccaneers.
17th century1667–1669EnglandA buccaneer and privateer active in the Caribbean. He is best known for his association with Henry Morgan.
b. 16501650–1704FranceWas originally one of the women – "Filles de Roi" – sent by the French government to Tortuga to become wives to the local male colonists.
17th century1682–1686EnglandLooted Brazil and Spanish South America, crossed the Pacific, raided in East Indies, crew split up in the Indian Ocean.
d. 16801670sEnglandAn English buccaneer who took part in Captain Bartholomew Sharp's privateering expedition, the "Pacific Adventure", during the late 1670s.
died 1695?1681–1688NetherlandsHe escaped Henry Morgan and sailed with Jan Willems for several years.
1645–17071669–1674
1697
FranceA French writer, most known as the author of one of the most important sourcebooks of 17th century piracy, De Americaensche Zee-Roovers.
17th century1662–1666EnglandEnglish buccaneer and pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for attacking the Spanish alongside Henry Morgan, John Morris, and David Marteen.
1681–1689FranceFrench pirate active in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa. He is best known for having his ship stolen by William Kidd and Robert Culliford.
17th century1672–1675IrelandIrish pirate and privateer who served the Spanish in the Caribbean.
17th century1680sFranceAssociate of Laurens de Graaf and Michel de Grammont. He later joined them in their attack on Tampico in 1682.
17th centurymid-17th centuryFranceMid-17th-century flibustier, or French buccaneer, active in the Caribbean. He is best known for a single attack on a Spanish pearl-diving fleet. His story appears only in Alexandre Exquemelin's History of the Buccaneers and the truth of his account is uncertain.
17th century1655–1680EnglandEnglish buccaneer and pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for attacking the Spanish alongside Henry Morgan, David Marteen, and John Morris.
Louis Le Golif17th century1660–1675FranceKnown from his Memoirs; supposedly a real buccaneer active against the Spanish, Golif's Memoirs were a forgery and he is now assumed to be entirely fictional.
1653–17041672–1697NetherlandsAlso known as Lorencillo and active in the Caribbean. Characterised as "a great and mischievous pirate" by Henry Morgan, de Graaf was a Dutch pirate, mercenary, and naval officer in the service of the French colony of Saint-Domingue. Sacked Veracruz. His companion was pirate Nicholas van Hoorn.
17th century1683–1686EnglandEnglish pirate active off New England and the African coast. May have been a doctor as well.
1645–16861670–1686FranceA French buccaneer, de Grammont primarily attacked Spanish holdings in Maracaibo, Gibraltar, Trujillo, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Cumana and Veracruz
17th centuryFranceKnown only for a single attack against a Spanish galleon, his existence is disputed.
17th century1670s–1690?ScotlandGreaves's nickname was based on a commonly used term for reddened legs often seen among the Scottish and Irish who took to wearing kilts in almost any weather. Noted for his raid of Margarita Island. He may have been fictional; his story first appeared in 1924.
17th century1683–1687FranceFrench buccaneer and pirate active against the Pacific coast of Spanish Central America.
17th century1670sSpainA Spanish renegade pirate who raided Spanish settlements in New Spain during the late 17th century with his most notable raid being against Chepo in 1679.
17th century1683–1684EnglandJoined a buccaneer raid on Veracruz then sailed to Carolina.
17th century1682–1684FrenchFrench buccaneer active in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa. He was often associated with St. Thomas' pirate-friendly Governor Adolph Esmit.
d. 16801670sEnglandEnglish buccaneer and member of Captain Bartholomew Sharp's "Pacific Expedition". Killed at Panama in 1680.
1562–16221593–1594EnglandA buccaneer and explorer who was later knighted.
d. 16901689UnknownPirate briefly active off New England. He was known for sailing with Thomas Pound.
1683–1685Colonial AmericaA pirate and privateer active in the Red Sea and the Caribbean.
1687Colonial AmericaA pirate active off the American east coast, from South Carolina to Maine. Aided by a member of Governor James Colleton's Grand Council.
1635–16831663–1683NetherlandsMerchant, privateer and later pirate, van Hoorn was hugely successful before dying of wound infection. Active in the Caribbean and based at the island Hispaniola. Sacked in 1683 Veracruz. Worked together with Laurens de Graaf aka Lorencillo.
17th century1639–1645EnglandIt was the fleet under his command that captured Jamaica for England.
fl. 16551650sNetherlandsDutch corsair active against the Portuguese. He attacked a small merchant fleet at Fernando de Noronha, capturing one merchant ship and driving off the other.
1629–16751657–1675EnglandBecame known as "Johnson the Terror" among the Spanish.
d. 16721661–1672NetherlandsDutch pirate, raided off Havana, put to trial twice and confessed before his execution.
17th century1684–1686EnglandAlong with Edward Davis, he took part in the final large buccaneer attack on Spanish holdings.
17th century1685FranceFrench pirate active on the Pacific coast of Central America. He sailed and fought alongside a number of prominent buccaneers such as Edward Davis, Francois Grogniet, William Dampier, and others.
1635–16681660–1668FranceNicknamed "The Bane of Spaniards". l'Ollonais had a reputation for brutality, offering no quarter to Spanish prisoners. Famous by his raids against Maracaibo and Gibraltar, Venezuela.
17th century1668–1674NetherlandsSacked Spanish territories alongside Brasiliano, Reyning, Bradley, and Morgan. Often called "Yellahs," "Yallahs," or "Captain Yellows."
1687–?UnknownPirate supposedly active in the Caribbean, off the American east coast, and the west coast of Africa. He was known for sparing his victims, and for being killed after announcing he had made a pact with the Devil. He is likely the fictional creation of Captain Charles Johnson, who presented his story among those of real historical pirates.
b. 16631684–1688FranceAn impoverished nobleman. Attacked targets in Central America. Known for a "long march" in 1688.
17th century1680sEnglandEnglish buccaneer who sailed with Bartholomew Sharp and others on the "Pacific Adventure".
1648–16911672–1676FranceA French nobleman who became a buccaneer in the Caribbean, selling his castle and title to Madame de Maintenon. Remarkable for his raid of Margarita Island.
d. 16661650s–1660sCuraçaoDutch buccaneer in English service. Known as the Admiral of the "Brethren of the Coast", Mansvelt was a mentor to Sir Henry Morgan who succeeded him following his death.
17th century1663–1665NetherlandsKnown primarily as the sole non-English Captain who participated in the raids against Spanish strongholds in present-day Mexico and Nicaragua.
1645–1701?1660s–1670sFranceA former French naval officer and gentleman adventurer, he engaged in a violent and destructive war against Spain in the Caribbean and the Spanish Main. His hatred of the Spanish earned him the name "Montbars the Exterminator".
1635–16881663–1674WalesA privateer who later retired to become Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. he participated in his raids against Panama, Maracaibo, Gibraltar, Porto Bello.
17th century1663–1672EnglandA skilled pilot, he served with both Christopher Myngs and Henry Morgan before becoming a pirate hunter.
1625–16661650s–1660sEnglandDescribed as "unhinged and out of tune" by the governor of Jamaica, Myngs nevertheless became a Vice-Admiral of the Blue in the Royal Navy. In 1658, raided the coast of South-America; failing to capture a Spanish treasure fleet, he destroyed Tolú and Santa Marta in present-day Colombia instead. In 1659, he plundered Cumaná, Puerto Cabello and Coro in present-day Venezuela.
17th century1675–1678EnglandPrivateer, joined a buccaneer raid on Campeche then sailed to Jamaica.
17th century1680sEnglandA colonial American privateer who raided several settlements in the West Indies with Jan Willems, most notably against Rio de la Hacha in 1680. He also drove the French from Block Island.
d. 16711668–1671PortugalPortuguese privateer in the service of Spain. One of the few successful privateers active against the buccaneers of the Caribbean during the late 17th century.
17th century1686–1688EnglandPart of his crew consisted of the remnants of the crews of Jean Hamlin and two recently deceased pirates, Jan "Yankey" Willems and Jacob Evertson.
fl. 1666–16901660s–1690sFranceAn officer under l'Ollonais and Henry Morgan, he and Moise Vauquelin left to pursue a career on their own. He later served in King William's War. He may have been one of the first buccaneers to raid shipping on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
d. 16681660sFranceFrench privateer active in the West Indies. He was succeeded by Moise Vauquelin following his death.
1635–17071690sFranceHis greatest venture was the 1697 Raid of Cartagena.
b. 16301666–1669PortugalOne of the earliest pirates to use a pirate code.
d. 17031689EnglandBriefly commanded a small ship near Massachusetts before being captured.
fl. 1659–16721650s–1670sNetherlandsDutch buccaneer in English service. An officer under Sir Henry Morgan, he and John Morris led the vanguard at Panama in 1671.
fl. 1652–16551650sNetherlandsCaptured several English ships as both a corsair and privateer during the First Anglo-Dutch War.
1630–1671RussiaA Cossack pirate who operated on the Volga and later expanded into the Caspian Sea.
John Read (pirate)?1683-1688EnglandEnglish buccaneer, privateer, and pirate active from South America to the East Indies to the Indian Ocean.
1674–1675NetherlandsHe is best known for attacking English traders off Acadia and for serving in King Philip's War.
17th century1680–1688FranceRaided Spanish settlements in Central and South America, including Panama, used Tortuga as a base.
d. 16801679–1680EnglandParticipated, along with John Coxon and Bartholomew Sharp, in the surprise attack on Santa Maria in Panama.
fl. 16631660sEnglandKnown for his attack on the city of Campeche, on the Yucatan Peninsula.
17th Century1660sEnglandJamaican-based buccaneer known for his sacks of Tobago and St. Augustine, Florida and occasional compatriot of Henry Morgan.
1650–16901679–1682EnglandPlundered 25 Spanish ships and numerous small towns.
1637–16631657–1663SwedenAttacked ships in the Baltic Sea, along with other accomplices of noble descent.
fl. 1663–16701660s–1670sNetherlandsDutch buccaneer active in the Caribbean, he was captured by Captain Manuel Ribeiro Pardal near Cuba and later executed.
17th century1678–1683EnglandPrivateer, joined a buccaneer raid on Veracruz then sailed to Saint-Domingue.
17th centuryEnglandA reluctant pirate, he begged for a pardon even as he looted his way around South America.
1625–16731664–1673FranceFrench buccaneer who took part in expeditions with Laurens de Graaf, Michel de Grammont, Pierre le Grand, François l'Ollonais and Sir Henry Morgan before his execution in 1673. His existence is disputed as the only pre-20th century reference to him appears in Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography.
d. 16861685–1686EnglandRaided Nicaragua, sacked Panama, held Spanish hostages to extort ransom.
d. 16931681–1693FranceAttacked Costa Rica and Colombia, joined a raid on Veracruz, became an English subject.
fl. 1650–16721650s–1670sFranceAn officer under l'Ollonais, he also had a partnership with Pierre le Picard. In his later years, he wrote a book detailing the coastline of Honduras and the Yucatan along with fellow buccaneer Philippe Bequel.
17th century1685EnglandAttacked ships along New England from Virginia to Boston with pirate John Graham.
17th centurymid-1600sEnglandKnown for legends of his buried treasure.
fl. 16551650sNetherlandsDutch corsair active near the Antillen, he was briefly associated with Bartholomeus de Jager.
1640–17051679–1688WalesAn explorer whose work helped inspire the Darien Scheme.
fl. 1681–16871680sNetherlandsDutch buccaneer active in the Caribbean.
17th century1670–1672EnglandEnglish buccaneer, privateer, and pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for his brief association with Henry Morgan.
1683–1687Colonial AmericaA pirate and privateer active in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.
17th century1675–1682EnglandDespite being English, Wright was active as a privateer under a French commission. He later became a buccaneer.

Golden Age of Piracy: 1690–1730

NameLifeYears activeCountry of originComments
James Allison?1689–1691Colonial AmericaActive near Cape Verde and the Bay of Campeche. Almost the entire record of Allison's piracy comes from trial records of a single incident, the seizure of the merchantman Good Hope.
Thomas Anstisd. 17231718–1723EnglandWas mainly active in the Caribbean, and served under first Howell Davis and later Bartholomew Roberts.
Leigh Ashworth?1716–1719UnknownA pirate and privateer operating in the Caribbean in the early 1700s.
John Auger1678–17181718UnknownActive in the Bahamas around 1718. He is primarily remembered for being captured by pirate turned pirate-hunter Benjamin Hornigold.
Adam Baldridge?fl. c. 1685–1697EnglandEnglish pirate and one of the early founders of the pirate settlements in Madagascar.
Jonathan Barnet?1715–1720EnglandEnglish privateer active in the Caribbean. He is best known for capturing pirates John Rackham, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read.
Thomas Barrowd. 17261702–1718UnknownPirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for proclaiming himself Governor of New Providence.
Don Benito?1725SpainReal name possibly Benito Socarras Y Aguero, he was a Spanish pirate and guarda costa privateer active in the Caribbean.
Charles Bellamy?1717–1720EnglandEnglish pirate who raided colonial American shipping in New England and later off the coast of Canada. He is often confused with the more well-known Samuel Bellamy, as they operated in the same areas at the same time.
Samuel Bellamy1689–17171716–1717Hittisleigh, Devonshire, EnglandDespite having a career of only 16 months, Bellamy was extraordinarily successful, capturing more than 50 ships before his death at age 28. His acquired wealth of five tons of treasure from his short career is speculated at US$120 million in 2008 dollars. Bellamy began his pirate career under the command of Henry Jennings, a Buccaneer that turned pirate; but double-crossing Jennings, Bellamy fled to the Bahamas and joined Jennings' nemesis, Benjamin Hornigold of the Mary Anne. But quickly growing wearisome of Hornigold's refusal to attack English ships, Bellamy called for a vote of no confidence, and the crew ousted Hornigold and Blackbeard by a majority vote, electing Bellamy as captain. Bellamy's prize flagship, Whydah Galley, discovered by underwater explorer Barry Clifford in 1984, is currently the world's only fully authenticated Golden Age pirate shipwreck ever found.
Blackbeard (Edward Teach)1680–17181716–1718EnglandWith his fearsome appearance, Blackbeard is often credited with the creation of the stereotypical image of a pirate. Although his real name remains unknown, he began his pirate career as the first officer of Buccaneer-turned-pirate Captain Benjamin Hornigold of the Mary Anne. When a young crewman, Samuel Bellamy, called for a vote of no confidence in Hornigold for his refusal to attack English ships, the crew by a vote ousted Hornigold and Blackbeard, leaving the Mary Anne to Bellamy whom the crew elected their new captain. His legend solidified after he took command of the Queen Anne's Revenge.
Black Caesard. 17181700s–1718AfricaA captured slave turned pirate, legend held that Black Caesar had been a well-known pirate active off the Florida Keys during the early 18th century. Historically, he was part of Blackbeard's crew and was one of five Africans serving on his flagship.
Augustin Blanco?1700–1725CubaHe was noted for attacking in open boats, and for having a mixed-race crew.
Richard Bobbingtond. 16971695–1696UnknownActive in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf. Sailed with Thomas Tew's crew after Tew's death. One of several captains of the Charming Mary.
Jean Bonadvis?1717–1720FranceHe is best known for his involvement with Benjamin Hornigold.
Stede Bonnet1688–17181717–1718BarbadosNicknamed "The Gentleman Pirate", Bonnet was born into a wealthy family before turning to piracy.
Anne Bonnyd. 17331720UnknownDespite never commanding a ship herself, Anne Bonny is remembered as one of few known female pirates.
George Boothd. 17001696–1700EnglandOne of the earliest pirates active in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
John Bowend. 17041700–1704BermudaWas active in the Indian Ocean, his contemporaries included George Booth and Nathaniel North.
Joseph Bradishd. 17001698–1700UnknownA pirate best known for a single incident involving a mutiny.
John Breholt17th–18th centuries1697–1711EnglandPirate and salvager active in the Caribbean, the Carolinas, and the Azores. He is best known for organizing several attempts to get the pirates of Madagascar to accept a pardon and bring their wealth home to England.
Nicholas Brownd. 1726to 1726EnglandActive off the coast of Jamaica, Brown was eventually killed – and his head pickled – by childhood friend John Drudge.
Phineas Bunced. 17181717–1718UnknownPirate active in the Caribbean. He was pardoned for piracy but reverted to it immediately afterwards and was killed by a Spanish pirate hunter.
Nathaniel Burches?1705–1707UnknownA privateer who operated out of New England. He was known for sailing alongside Regnier Tongrelow and Thomas Penniston, and for single-handedly defeating a huge Spanish ship.
Josiah ("Thomas") Burgess1689–17191716–1719EnglandHe is best known as one of the heads of New Providence's "Flying Gang."
Samuel Burgess1650–17161690–1708EnglandMember of Captain William Kidd's crew in 1690 when the Blessed William was seized by Robert Culliford and some of the crew.
William Burked. 16991699IrelandPirate and trader active in the Caribbean and near Newfoundland, best known for aiding William Kidd.
James Carnegie?1716UnknownSailed in consort with Henry Jennings.
Canoot?1698FranceFrench pirate active off the coast of New England.
Dirk Chiversearly 18th century1694–1699NetherlandsActive in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, Chivers later retired from piracy and returned to the Netherlands.
Adrian Claver?1704–1705NetherlandsA Dutch privateer based out of New England. He sailed alongside other prominent privateers such as John Halsey, Regnier Tongrelow, and Thomas Penniston.
Edward Coates?1689–1694Colonial AmericaA colonial American privateer in English service during the King William's War and later a pirate operating in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean during the mid-1690s.
Thomas Cocklynearly 18th century1717 to deathEnglandPrimarily known for his association with Howell Davis and Oliver La Buze, Cocklyn's activities after 1719 are unknown.
John Cockram?1713–1718EnglandPirate, trader, and pirate hunter in the Caribbean, best known for his association with Benjamin Hornigold.
John Coled. 17181718EnglandAssociated with Richard Worley and William Moody. He is known more for the unusual cargo of his pirate ship than for his piracy.
Robert Colleyd. 16981695–1698Colonial AmericaAn American pirate active near Newfoundland and the Indian Ocean.
Thomas Collinsd. 17191690s–1719UnknownActive in the Indian Ocean. He is best known for leading a pirate settlement and trading post on Madagascar.
Christopher Condentd. 17341718–1720EnglandAfter entering into piracy in 1718, Condent later took a prize of £150,000 with his ship Fiery Dragon and retired to France, becoming a wealthy merchant. Known by many names, including Condent, Congdon, Connor or Condell; and by given names including William, Christopher, Edmond or John.
Joseph Cooperd. 17251718–1725Colonial AmericaActive in the Caribbean and the American East Coast. He was best known for sailing alongside Francis Spriggs, and for the manner of his death.
William Cotterb.1670 d.17021690–1692EnglandHe was mainly active in Jamaica and the Red Sea sailing under George Raynor.
William Coward?1689–1690UnknownA minor pirate active off the coast of Massachusetts. He is known for a single incident involving the seizure of one small vessel, largely thanks to events surrounding his trial.
Captain Crapo18th century1704–1708FranceFrench privateer active in the Caribbean and off the American east coast during the War of Spanish Succession. He was highly successful, capturing a large number of English vessels which he sent back to his home ports in Martinique and Port Royal.
Mary Critchett?1729Colonial AmericaShe is best known for being one of only four female pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy.
Robert CullifordEarly 18th century1690–1698EnglandThe former first mate of William Kidd, Culliford led a first mutiny against Kidd, stealing his ship Blessed William. One of the few pirates documented as participating in matelotage, with John Swann.
Alexander Dalzeel1662–17151685–1715ScotlandServed under Henry Every. Was captured four times before finally being hanged.
Howell Davis1690–17191718–1719WalesHaving a career that lasted only 11 months, Davis was ambushed during an attempt to kidnap the governor of Príncipe.
Captain Davyearly 18th century1704–1705FranceFrench privateer active off New England during Queen Anne's War. He is best known for repeatedly evading capture by rival English and Dutch privateers such as Adrian Claver and Thomas Penniston.
Thomas Day?1697UnknownPirate and privateer active off the American East Coast. He is known for being one cause of increasing tensions between the Governors of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Robert Deald. 17211718–1721EnglandHe is best known for his association with Charles Vane.
Nicholas de Concepcion?1720UnknownPirate active off the New England coast. An escaped slave, he was one of the few black or mulatto pirate captains.
Mathurin Desmarestz1653–17001685–1697FranceFrench pirate and buccaneer active in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.
Étienne de Montauban?1691–1695FranceFrench flibustier, privateer, and pirate active in the Caribbean and off the west African coast. Frequently referred to as Sieur de Montauban, he wrote an account of his later voyages, including surviving a shipwreck.
Francis Demont?1716–1717Colonial AmericaPirate active in the Caribbean. His trial was important in establishing Admiralty law in South Carolina.
John Derdrake?Early 1700sDenmarkKnown as "Jack of the Baltic." Danish pirate active in the 1700s. His story, if true, makes him one of the few pirates known to force his victims walk the plank.
George Dew1666–17031686–1695EnglandHe once sailed alongside William Kidd and Thomas Tew, and his career took him from Newfoundland to the Caribbean to the coast of Africa.
Jean Thomas Dulaien?1727-1728FranceFrench pirate active in the Caribbean. He is known for preserved copies of his Articles and black flag.
Edward England1690–17201717–1720IrelandDiffering from many other pirates of his day, England did not kill captives unless necessary.
John Evansd. 17231722–1723WalesAfter an unsuccessful career as a legitimate sailor, Evans turned to piracy – initially raiding houses from a small canoe.
Henry Every (Avery)?1694–1695EnglandFamous as one of the few pirates of the era who was able to retire with his takings without being either arrested or killed in battle.
Mary Farley, alias Mary / Martha Farlee / Harley / Harvey1725–1726IrishIn 1725, Mary Harvey and her husband Thomas were transported to the Province of Carolina as felons. In 1726, Mary and three men were tried for piracy. Two of the men were hanged, but Mary was released. Her husband Thomas was never caught.
Joseph Faro?1694–1696Colonial AmericaActive in the Indian Ocean. He is best known for sailing alongside Thomas Tew to join Henry Every's pirate fleet which captured and looted the fabulously rich Mughal ship Gunsway.
John Fennd. 1723to 1723EnglandSailed with Bartholomew Roberts and, later, Thomas Anstis.
Lewis Ferdinando?1699–1700UnknownActive near Bermuda during the Golden Age of Piracy.
Francis Fernando?1715–1716JamaicaJamaican pirate and privateer active in the Caribbean. He was one of the few confirmed mixed-race captains in the Golden Age of Piracy.
James Fifed. 17181718UnknownActive in the Caribbean. Murdered by forced men on his crew.
William Flyd. 1726to 1726EnglandRaided off the New England coast before being captured and hanged at Boston, Massachusetts.
William Fox?1718–1723UnknownPirate active in the Caribbean and off the African coast. He was indirectly associated with a number of more prominent pirates such as Bartholomew Roberts, Edward England, and Richard Taylor.
Richard Frowd?1718–1719EnglandHe is best known for sailing with William Moody. He was one of a number of pirates to have both white and black sailors in his crew.
Ingela Gathenhielm1692–17291718–1721SwedenWidow of Lars Gathenhielm, active on the Baltic Sea.
Lars Gathenhielm1689–17181710–1718SwedenActive on the Baltic Sea
Captain Gincks?1705–1706UnknownA privateer based in New York. He is best known for sailing alongside Adrian Claver, and for a violent incident involving his sailors while ashore.
Richard Gloverd. 16981694–1698Colonial AmericaA pirate and slave trader active in the Caribbean and the Red Sea in the late 1690s.
Robert Gloverd. 16981693–1698Ireland / Colonial AmericaAn Irish-American pirate active in the Red Sea area in the late 1690s.
Christopher Goffe?1683–1691Colonial AmericaA pirate and privateer active in the Red Sea and the Caribbean. He was eventually trusted to hunt down his former comrades.
John Goldend. 16981696–1698EnglandA Jacobite pirate and privateer active in the waters near England and France. His trial was important in establishing Admiralty law, differentiating between privateers and pirates, and ending the naval ambitions of the deposed James II.
Thomas Goldsmithd. 17141714EnglandChiefly remembered not for his piracy but for retiring and dying peacefully in his bed, and for his gravestone inscription.
Thomas Griffin (pirate)?1691Colonial AmericaA pirate and privateer active off New England. He is known for his association with George Dew.
Captain Grinnaway?1718UnknownA pirate from Bermuda, best known for being briefly and indirectly involved with Edward Teach.
Nathaniel Grubing17th century1692–1697EnglandEnglish pirate who sailed in service to the French. He is best known for leading several raids on Jamaica before his capture.
Jean Baptiste Guedryd. 17261726AcadiaTook over a small ship off Acadia and was tried for piracy. The trial was publicized to Indians as an example of English law.
Charles Harris1698–17231722–1723EnglandHe is best known for his association with George Lowther and Edward Low.
John Halseyd. 17081705–1708Colonial AmericaActive in the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Halsey is remembered by Defoe as "brave in his Person, courteous to all his Prisoners, lived beloved, and died regretted by his own People."
John Ham (pirate)?1699-1720EnglandPirate and privateer operating in the Caribbean in the early 18th century. He is best known for his involvement with Samuel Bellamy, Paulsgrave Williams, John Rackham, and the female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Israel Hands?1700s–1718Colonial AmericaAlso known as Basilica Hands. He is best known for being second in command to Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Hands' first historical mention was in 1718, when Blackbeard gave him command of David Herriot's ship Adventure after Herriot was captured by Teach in March 1718.
Don Miguel Enríquez (Henríquez)1674–17431701–1735Puerto RicoAlthough born a shoemaker, Enríquez was later awarded a letter of marque by Spain, going on to become knighted and gathering a fortune of over 500,000 pieces of eight. Considered the "most accomplished" of the Hispanic privateers.
David Herriot?1700s–1718JamaicaCaptain of the Jamaican sloop Adventure, captured by Edward Teach, alias Blackbeard, in 1718. He joined Blackbeard's crew, and later when Stede Bonnet separated from Blackbeard, Herriot became his sailing master. During the Battle of Cape Fear River Herriott was taken by Col. Rhet, of the sloop Royal James, on September 27, 1718. Herriot and boatswain, Ignatius Pell, turned King's evidence at their trial but escaped their Charleston prison on October 25. Herriot was shot and killed on Sullivan Island a few days later.
John Hoard. 16971694–1697Colonial AmericaA pirate and privateer active in the late 1690s in the Red Sea area.
Benjamin Hornigold1680–17191717–1719EnglandKnown for being less aggressive than other pirates, Hornigold once captured a ship for the sole purpose of seizing the crew's hats.
Thomas Howardearly 18th century1698–1703EnglandHoward served under both George Booth and John Bowen and later commanded the Prosperous.
Samuel Inless?1698–1699UnknownActive in the Indian Ocean, best known for serving as Captain over Nathaniel North and George Booth.
John Ireland?1694–1701Colonial AmericaA pirate active in the Indian Ocean. He is best known for sailing with Thomas Tew. One of several captains of the Charming Mary.
John James?1699–1700WalesA Welsh pirate active near Madagascar, Nassau, and the American east coast.
Henry Jenningsd. 17451715EnglandJennings was a later governor of the pirate haven of New Providence. Although the Governor of Jamaica personally commissioned Jennings' privateering in 1715, after Jennings' began attacking salvage camps and Spanish, English and French vessels, Jennings was declared a pirate in April 1716. Jennings and his fleet of pirates and privateers subsequently moved to Nassau. Jennings was one of 400 pirates who took advantage of the British amnesty in 1718, and afterwards retired to Bermuda to live the rest of his life "as a wealthy, respected member of society."
Henry Johnson?1730IrelandIrish pirate active in the Caribbean. He shared captaincy with a Spaniard, Pedro Poleas. Johnson was best known thanks to an autobiography written by a sailor he captured and marooned.
Evan Jones?1698–1699WalesWelsh-born pirate from New York active in the Indian Ocean, best known for his indirect connection to Robert Culliford and for capturing a future Mayor of New York.
John Juliand. 17331716–1717Miskito originsRecorded as the first black pirate to operate in the New World.
James Kelly (James Gilliam)d. 1701to 1699EnglandActive in the Indian Ocean, Kelly was a long-time associate of William Kidd.
William "Captain" Kidd1645–17011695–1699ScotlandAlthough modern historians dispute the legitimacy of his trial and execution, the rumor of Captain Kidd's buried treasure has served only to build a legend around the man as a great pirate. His property was claimed by the crown and given to the Royal Hospital, Greenwich, by Queen Anne.
Henry King (pirate)?1700UnknownHe is best known for attacking the slave ship John Hopewell, whose captured crew turned the tables and took his ship from him.
John King (pirate)c. 1706/9–17171716–1717EnglandAlthough not ever a captain, King joined the crew of Samuel Bellamy when they boarded the ship he was on, and is one of the youngest known pirates on record. His age is disputed at anywhere from 8–11 years.
Montigny la Palisse?1720–1721FranceSailed in consort with Bartholomew Roberts.
Robert Laned. 17191719UnknownWas given command of a prize ship by Edward England, which was lost off Brazil with all hands.
Thomas Larimore?1677–1706Colonial AmericaActive in the Caribbean and off the eastern seaboard of the American colonies. After helping suppress Bacon's Rebellion and serving as a militia leader he turned to piracy, operating alongside John Quelch.
Peter Lawrence?1693–1705NetherlandsDutch pirate and privateer active off New England and Newfoundland, and in the Caribbean. His and other pirates' dealings with Rhode Island's governors nearly led to the colony losing its charter.
John Leadstone / "Old Captain Crackers"?1704–1721UnknownA pirate and slave trader active off the west coast of Africa. Often called "Captain Crackers" or "Old Captain Cracker," he is best known for his actions against the English Royal African Company and for his brief involvement with Bartholomew Roberts.
Francois Le Saged. 16941682–1694France or NetherlandsPirate and buccaneer active in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa. He is primarily associated with fellow buccaneers Michiel Andrieszoon and Laurens de Graaf.
Francis Leslie (pirate)?1717–1718EnglandHe is best known as one of the leaders of the "Flying Gang" of pirates operating out of New Providence.
Olivier Levasseur (Oliver La Buse)1688–17301716–1730FranceNicknamed "la Buse" for the speed with which he attacked his targets, Levasseur left behind a cryptic message that has yet to be deciphered fully today.
Samuel Liddell?1716UnknownA pirate, privateer, and merchant active in the Caribbean. He is best known for sailing alongside Henry Jennings.
Edward "Ned" Low1690–17241721–1724EnglandA pirate known for his vicious torture, his methods were described as having "done credit to the ingenuity of the Spanish Inquisition in its darkest days".
George Lowtherd. 1723to 1723EnglandActive in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, one of Lowther's lieutenants included Edward Low.
Matthew Luke d. 17221722ItalyA pirate and Spanish Guarda Costa active in the Caribbean.
Philip Lyned. 17261725–1726UnknownKnown for his cruelty and his association with Francis Spriggs.
Duncan Mackintoshd.16891686-1689EnglandPirate who cruised the East Indies, the Indian Ocean, and the coast of Africa, Captain to some of William Dampier's former crew.
John Martel?1716–1718EnglandEnglish pirate active in the Caribbean.
Simon Mascarino?1701–1721PortugalA Portuguese pirate active in the Caribbean. He was also a privateer in service of the Spanish.
John Massey (pirate)d.17231708-1723EnglandRoyal African Company military officer. He is best known for leaving his post in Gambia along with his soldiers to sail with pirate George Lowther.
William May?1689–1700UnknownActive in the Indian Ocean. He was best known for taking over William Kidd's ship Blessed William and sailing with Henry Every.
Edward Miller?1718–1720EnglandEnglish pirate active in the Caribbean.
Christopher Moodyd. 17181713–1718EnglandActive off North and South Carolina, Moody offered no quarter to captured crews, signified by his flying of a red standard. Often conflated with William Moody.
William Moody (pirate)d. 17181717–1718EnglandHe is best known for his association with Olivier Levasseur and Thomas Cocklyn, crewmembers who succeeded him as captains in their own right. Often conflated with Christopher Moody.
Thomas Mostyn (sea captain)?1695-1716EnglandSea trader between Madagascar and New York, Captain to Robert Allison and Hendrick van Hoven.
Captain Napin?1717–1718UnknownA pirate active in the Caribbean and off the American east coast. He is best known for sailing alongside Benjamin Hornigold.
Thomas Nichols?1717–1718UnknownA pirate active in the Caribbean and off the American east coast. He is best known as a leader among the "Flying Gang" of pirates operating out of New Providence.
Richard Noland?1717–1724IrelandHe was best known for sailing with Samuel Bellamy before working for the Spanish.
John Norcross1688–17581715–1727EnglandEnglish Jacobite pirate and privateer who sailed in service to Sweden.
Nathaniel Northb. 16721689–1709BermudaActive in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, North served with other famous contemporaries, including John Bowen and George Booth.
Amaro Pargo1678–16951703–1737SpainHe was one of the most famous pirates of the golden age of piracy, and one of the most important personalities of the 18th century Spain.
Ignatius Pell?1718-1724EnglandPirate who served as boatswain to Stede Bonnet, later commanded his own vessel.
Major Penner?1718UnknownPirate captain active in the Caribbean. Kept his title of "Major" instead of "Captain."
Thomas Pennistond. 17061704–1706UnknownA privateer who operated out of New England. He was known for sailing alongside Adrian Claver and Regnier Tongrelow.
James Plantainearly 18th century1725–1728JamaicaPlantain ruled the island of Madagascar between 1725 and 1728, primarily through fear, and was known as the "King of Ranter Bay".
Daniel Porter?1718–1721UnknownPirate and trader active in the Caribbean. He is best known for his associations with Benjamin Hornigold and Bartholomew Roberts.
John Pried. 17271727UnknownA mutineer and minor pirate in the Caribbean.
John Prod. 17191690s–1719NetherlandsBest known for leading a pirate trading post near Madagascar.
John Quelch1666–17041703–1704EnglandQuelch was the first person tried for piracy outside England under Admiralty Law and therefore without a jury.
John Rackhamd. 17201720EnglandShort lived pirate best known for sailing with Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
George Raynor1665–17431683–1694Colonial AmericaActive in the Red Sea. Before he was briefly a pirate captain, he was a sailor on the Batchelor's Delight which circumnavigated the globe with William Dampier.
Mary Readd. 17211720EnglandAlong with Anne Bonny, one of few known female pirates. When captured, Read escaped hanging by claiming she was pregnant, but died soon after of a fever while still in prison.
William Readd. 17011701EnglandActive in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. He is best known for rescuing fellow pirate captains John Bowen and Thomas White.
Lieutenant Richards (pirate)?1718UnknownActive in the Caribbean and off the Carolinas. He is best known for sailing alongside Blackbeard.
John Rivers (pirate)d. 17191686–1719EnglandA pirate best known for leading a settlement and trading post on Madagascar.
Bartholemew Roberts ("Black Bart")1682–17221719–1722WalesThe most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy, estimated to have captured more than 470 vessels.
Philip Roche (pirate)1693–17231721IrelandActive in the seas of northern Europe, best known for murdering the crews and captains of ships he and his men took over.
Tempest Rogers1672–17041693–1699EnglandA pirate trader active in the Caribbean and off Madagascar. He is best known for his association with William Kidd.
Woodes Rogers1679–17321709–1710EnglandPlayed a major role in the suppression of pirates in the Caribbean.
John Russell18th century1722–1723UnknownPirate active from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean to the African coast. He is best known for his association with Edward Low and Francis Spriggs, and for his involvement with two well-known and well-documented maroonings.
Jasper Seagard. 17211719–1721EnglandActive in the Indian Ocean, best known for sailing with Edward England, Olivier Levasseur, and Richard Taylor.
Robert Semple d. 17191719UnknownWas given command of a prize ship by Edward England, which was run ashore and captured off Brazil.
Abraham Samueld.17051696-1705MadagascarKnown as "Deaan Tuley-Noro" or "Tolinar Rex," a mulatto pirate of the Indian Ocean. Briefly led a combined pirate-Antanosy kingdom from Fort Dauphin, Madagascar.
Giles Shelleyd.17101690s-1699EnglandA pirate trader active between New York and Madagascar. His trips greatly enriched colonial merchants while angering officials.
Richard Shiptond. 17261723–1726UnknownActive in the Caribbean, best known for sailing alongside Edward Low and Francis Spriggs.
James Skyrmed. 17221720–1722WalesA Welsh pirate best known for captaining two of Bartholomew Roberts' prize ships.
Francis Spriggsd. 1725to 1725EnglandAlong with George Lowther and Edward Low, Spriggs was primarily active in the Bay of Honduras during the early 1720s.
Daniel Stillwell?1715–1718EnglandA minor pirate in the Caribbean, best known for his association with Benjamin Hornigold.
Ralph Stoutd. 16971692–1697UnknownActive in the Indian Ocean. He is best known for rescuing fellow pirate Robert Culliford after each of them spent separate 4-year periods in Mughal Empire prisons.
Thomas Sutton1699–17221719–1722ScotlandActive off the coast of Africa. He was best known for sailing alongside Bartholomew Roberts.
John Swann (pirate)?1698–1699UnknownA minor pirate in the Indian Ocean, known almost entirely for speculation about his relationship with Robert Culliford.
John Taylorearly 18th centuryEnglandAt Reunion Island, Taylor is reputed to have captured the most valuable prize in pirate history.
Thomas Tewd. 16951692–1695EnglandDespite only going on two pirate voyages, Tew pioneered a route later known as the Pirate Round.
Captain Thompsond. 17191719CubaActive in the Caribbean. He is primarily known for a single incident involving grenades.
John Thurber1649–1717 1685–1693UnknownLast name also Churcher, he was a pirate trader and slave trader active off Madagascar. He is best known for his role in introducing rice to America as a staple crop and export commodity.
Regnier Tongrelow?1704–1705France or NetherlandsA prolific privateer who operated out of New England. He captured a large number of ships over a short career, sending most back to New York, and was known for attacking the largest ships he could find.
Richard Tookerman1691–17231718–1723EnglandAs a pirate, smuggler, and trader active in the Caribbean and the Carolinas, he became best known for involvement with pirates Stede Bonnet and Bartholomew Roberts.
Rais Hamidou1770–18151790–1815AlgiersAn Algerian privateer, later admiral who captured several ships during his career.
Turn Joe?1717IrelandIrish pirate and privateer who left English service and sailed for Spain instead as a guarda costa privateer in the Caribbean.
Charles Vane1680–17211716–1721EnglandDisliked due to his cruelty, Vane showed little respect for the pirate code, cheating his crew out of their shares in the takings.
Hendrick van Hovend. 16991698–1699NetherlandsA buccaneer and pirate active in the Caribbean. He was known as "the grand pirate of the West Indies."
Thomas Vaughan (pirate)d.16961692-1696IrelandIrish pirate and privateer who sailed for France during the Nine Years' War. His trial was notable as a test of English common law against admiralty law.
John Vidal?1727Ireland / Colonial AmericaA minor Irish-American pirate briefly active near Ocracoke Inlet off North Carolina. He is best known for bringing the Farley family with him, causing Martha Farley to be one of the few women tried for piracy.
Thomas Waked. 16961694–1696Colonial AmericaBest known for sailing alongside Thomas Tew to join Henry Every in the Indian Ocean, hunting the Moghul treasure fleet.
Richard Want?1692–1696Colonial AmericaActive in the Indian Ocean. He is best known for sailing alongside Thomas Tew and Henry Every.
James Weatherhilld. 17031693CaribbeanA privateer and pirate active in King William's War.
Brigstock Weaver?1720–1725UnknownHe is best known for his association with fellow pirates Thomas Anstis and Bartholomew Roberts.
Edward Welch (pirate)d.17081691-1708American coloniesBest known for leading a pirate settlement and trading post at Madagascar.
John West (pirate)?1713–1714UnknownA minor pirate in the Caribbean, best known for his association with Benjamin Hornigold.
Joseph Wheeler (pirate)?1696–1698UnknownHe is best known for sailing alongside Dirk Chivers and Robert Culliford.
Thomas Whited. 17081698–1708EnglandHe was only briefly a captain on his own but served under several more prominent captains such as George Booth, John Bowen, Thomas Howard, John Halsey, and Nathaniel North.
David Williams (pirate)d. 17091698–1709WalesWelsh sailor who turned pirate after being abandoned on Madagascar. He was only briefly a captain, and is best known for sailing under a number of more prominent pirate captains.
Paulsgrave Williams?1716–1723Colonial AmericaA pirate who sailed the Caribbean, American eastern seaboard, and off West Africa. He is best known for sailing alongside Samuel Bellamy.
Christopher Winter?1716–1723EnglandEnglish pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for sailing in Spanish service and launching the career of Edward England.
Nicholas Woodall?1718UnknownHe is best known for his involvement with Charles Vane and Benjamin Hornigold.
Edward Woodman?1692–1706Colonial AmericaA pirate active in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean.
Richard Worleyd. 1719to 1719EnglandCredited as one of the first pirates to fly the skull and crossbones pirate flag.
Emanuel Wynnearly 18th centuryFranceWas the first pirate to fly the "skull and crossbones" Jolly Roger. His design also incorporated an hourglass below the skull.
Charles Yeats?1718UnknownHe is best known for sailing alongside and then abandoning Charles Vane.

Post Golden Age: pirates, privateers, smugglers, and river pirates: 1730–1885

NameLifeYears ActiveCountry of originComments
José Joaquim Almeida1777–18321812–1832PortugalPortuguese Barbary corsair who fought in the Anglo-American War of 1812 and the Argentine War of Independence.
Peter Alston1765–18041797–1804United StatesRiver pirate, highwayman, and counterfeiter, son of counterfeiter, Philip Alston, alias James May, who was believed to be an associate of the Samuel Mason and Micajah "Big" Harpe and Wiley "Little" Harpe.
Philip Alston1740 or 1741–after 17991770?–1799?United StatesRiver pirate and counterfeiter, an associate of the counterfeiter John Duff and father of river pirate, highwayman, and counterfeiter, Peter Alston.
François Aregnaudeau1774–18131810–1821FranceBreton who commanded a number of privateers, most notably Blonde, and Duc de Dantzig. In them he captured numerous prizes. He and Duc de Dantzig disappeared without at trace around the end of 1812. Their disappearance gave rise to an unsubstantiated gruesome ghost ship legend.
Louis-Michel Aury1788–18211810–1821FranceFrench privateer, served the Republics of Venezuela and Mexico. In Amelia island Aury created an administrative body called the "Supreme Council of the Floridas", directed his secretaries Pedro Gual Escandón and Vicente Pazos Kanki to draw up a constitution, and invited all Florida to unite in throwing off the Spanish yoke.
Joseph Bakerd. 18001800CanadaThe single piratical action of his career consisted of an unsuccessful attempt to commandeer the sloop Eliza.
Renato Beluche1780–18601803–1823Louisiana, New SpainA known associate of the Lafitte Brothers active in the Caribbean before joining Simon Bolivar army in his fight for South American independence.
Hippolyte Bouchard1780–18371817–1819FranceA French and Argentine sailor who fought for Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Luis Brion de Trox1782–18211806–1821CuraçaoDutch privateer, served to the Republics of Venezuela and Great Colombia.
Flora Burnfl. 17411740s–1750sEnglandFemale pirate active mainly off the East coast of North America from 1741.
Cabeza de Perro1800 – ??SpainWas a Spanish pirate. His physical characteristics earned him his nickname, which translates to Dog Head.
Henri Caesarearly 19th century1805–1830HaitiHaitian pirate supposedly active in the Caribbean during the early 19th century. Historical existence is doubtful.
Eric Cobham and Maria Lindsey1700–17601720s–1740sEnglandCobham and his wife, Maria, were primarily active in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
James Copeland1823–18571830s–1857United StatesA leader of a gang of pirates, smugglers, and outlaws in southern Mississippi and southern Alabama, around Mobile, known as the Wages and Copeland Clan.
Richard Coyled. 17381738EnglandHe is known for a single incident involving the murder of the Captain of the ship St. John.
Joaquin Crespo1841–18981888VenezuelaIn 1888 A group of Crespo revolutionaries entered the steamer Bolívar, anchored in Port of Spain, Trinidad, to capture it and invade Venezuela to overthrow the President Rojas Paúl, but were discovered and forced to disembark. Another group, waiting on land, began an assault and battle against the crew. British soldiers, with fixed bayonets, boarded and subdued the Venezuelan revolutionaries. From Trinidad, Crespo fled to Saint Thomas, then a Danish Virgin Island. In Charlotte Amalie, Crespo attempted to invade Venezuela aboard the schooner Ana Jacinta. Defeated by the government off shore of Curaçao, he was imprisoned in La Rotunda prison, later pardoned by President Rojas Paúl with the promise of a temporary retirement from politics. He devoted himself to tending his ranch, before going into exile in Peru.
Jacob Pettersson Degenaar1692–17661740sSweden-
Sadie Farrell (Sadie The Goat)?1869United StatesAn Irish American New York City river pirate and the criminal leader of the Charlton Street Gang in 1869; likely a folklore story.
James Ford1770?–18331799?–1833United StatesA civic leader and business owner in western Kentucky and southern Illinois, secretly, was the leader of a gang of river pirates and highwaymen, along the Ohio River, known as the "Ford's Ferry Gang."
Hezekiah FrithEarly 19th century1790s–1800sBermudaBritish ship owner and smuggler known as Bermuda's "gentleman privateer". Alleged to have used his business as a cover to withhold cargo sized in privateering expeditions and amass a small fortune.
Vincent Gambid. 1820ItalyA pirate based out of New Orleans, he was an associate of Jean Lafitte.
José Gaspar (Gasparilla)1756–18211783–1821SpainSpanish naval officer who turned to piracy and operated from a base in southwest Florida. Although Gaspar is a popular figure in local folklore and was the inspiration for Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Festival, there is no evidence of his existence.
Leoncio Prado Gutiérrez1853–18831876–1877PeruPrado a Peruvian mariner with Cuban revolutionaries seized the Spanish ship Moctezuma in the Caribbean sea at North of La Hispaniola. Renamed as Cespedes failed to liberate Cuba under Spanish rule. Realizing how the ship remained in the hands of the royalist navy, Prado ordered his men to leave and lit a barrel of gunpowder inside of the ammunition storage facilities.
Catherine Hagerty and Charlotte Badgerearly 19th century1806EnglandAustralian convicts. Among a group of convicts taken on board a shorthanded ship as crew. The convicts commandeered the ship and sailed for New Zealand. Hagerty was put ashore and died, Badger was never seen again.
Micajah and Wiley HarpeBefore 1768–1799
Before 1770–1799
1775?–1799
1775?–1804
United StatesAmerica's first known serial killers, were Loyalists in the American Revolution, as well as, river pirates and highwaymen, who preyed on travelers along the Ohio River and the waterways of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois. The Harpe Brothers were associates of Samuel Mason and Peter Alston.
Pugsy Hurley1846–after 18861865?–after 1886United StatesEnglish-born American burglar, river pirate and underworld figure in New York City during the mid-to late 19th century. An old time thief from the old Seventh Ward, he was also a well-known waterfront thug whose criminal career lasted over two decades. He especially gained notoriety as a member of the Patsy Conroy Gang.
Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalahimah1760–18261780–1826KuwaitThe most famous pirate in the Persian Gulf, he ruled over Qatar and Dammam for short periods and fought alongside the Wahhabis against the Al-Khalifa tribe of Bahrain.
Bill Johnston1782–18701810–1860United StatesNicknamed "Pirate of the Thousand Islands".
Edward Jordan1771–18091794–1809CanadaIrish rebel, fisherman and pirate of Nova Scotia.
Jørgen Jørgensen1780–18411807–1808DenmarkDanish adventurer and writer, he was captured by the British as a privateer during the Napoleonic Wars.
Jean Lafittec. 1776–1826?1803–1815
1817–1820s
FranceFrench pirate active in the Gulf of Mexico during the early 1800s. A wanted fugitive by the United States, he later participated, during the War of 1812, in the Battle of New Orleans on the side of Andrew Jackson and the Americans. In 1822, Lafitte approached the navy of Gran Colombia and Simon Bolivar granted a commission and given a new ship, a 40-ton schooner named General Santander.
Pierre Lafitte1770–18211803–1821FranceFrench pirate, and lesser-known brother of Jean Lafitte, active mainly in the Gulf of Mexico.
Narciso Lopez1797–18511850–1851VenezuelaVenezuelan adventurer, enlisted in United States about six hundred filibusters and successfully reached Cuba in May 1850 to liberate the island from Spanish Crown rule. His troops took the town of Cárdenas, carrying a flag that López had designed, which later became the banner of modern Cuba. After another failed attempt to free Cuba he was executed in Havana by the royalists in 1851.
Sam Hall Lord1778–18441800s–1840sBarbadosSam Lord was one of the most famous buccaneers on the island of Barbados.
Kazimierz Lux1780–18461803–1819PolandThe Polish Pirates of the Caribbean. After fighting against a slave rebellion in Haiti, Lux started a career of piracy – shooting and boarding an American brig was one of his more spectacular successes; the vessel was later sold for 20,000 francs in Havana.
John Macferson?1731-1732EnglandMinor English pirate active in the Atlantic. He is best known for a single incident involving a Portuguese ship, and for being one of the last pirates of the Golden Age.
Gregor MacGregor1786–18451810–1830ScotlandA Scottish adventurer, soldier and land speculator who fought in the Venezuelan and New Granadan struggle for independence. In 1817, led an army of only 150 men in an assault on Amelia Island, Florida. After his return to Britain in 1820, he claimed to be cacique of Poyais a fictional Central American country that MacGregor had invented which, with his promotional efforts, drew investors and eventually colonists.
Francisco de Miranda1750–18161806VenezuelaVenezuelan militar and adventurer, who organized in 1806 a private expedition from New York with the intention of liberate Venezuela from Spanish rule. On April 28 of 1806 the small fleet was overtaken by Spanish warships off the coast of Venezuela. Only the Leander escaped escorted by HMS Lilly. The Backus and Bee were captured with all the revolutionaries. Sixty men were put on trial for piracy and Ten were sentenced to death in Puerto Cabello. The Leander and the expeditionary force regrouped on the British islands of Barbados and Trinidad. The new expedition assisted by Royal Navy ships landed at La Vela de Coro on August 3, captured the fort and raised the tricolor flag for the first time on Venezuelan soil. Before dawn the next morning the expeditionaries occupied Coro, but found no support from the city residents and Miranda returned to England.
Samuel Mason1739–1803to 1803United StatesInitially, a Revolutionary War Patriot captain in the Ohio County, Virginia militia and an associate judge and squire in Kentucky, Mason later, ran a gang of highway robbers and waterways river pirates.
John A. Murrell1806?–1844to 1834United StatesNear-legendary bandit, known as the "Great Western Land Pirate," ran a gang of river pirates and highwaymen along the Mississippi River.
José Antonio Páez1789–18731849VenezuelaGeneral José Antonio Páez exiled in Curazao invades Venezuela from La Vela de Coro on July 2, 1849, and penetrates as far as Cojedes plains with the support of León de Febres Cordero and his son Ramón Páez with the aime of overhthron the Jose Tadeo Monagas government. Santiago Mariño and José Gregorio Monagas surround Páez's forces. Juan Antonio Sotillo defeats Lorenzo Belisario and Nicasio Belisario at the Manapire Pass on July 17, has their bodies decapitated, and sends the heads to President José Tadeo Monagas. Sotillo also defeated Felipe Macero and José Antonio Páez's rearguard was attacked at the Battle of Casupo, forcing him to capitulate in Macapo to General José Laurencio Silva. In violation of the capitulation, Páez and his men were arrested by Joaquín Herrera.
Páez was exiled in 1850 and did not return until 1858 from New York to involve in the Federal War. In 1861, Páez returned to power as president and supreme dictator, but ruled for only two years before again returning to exile in New York.
Robert Surcouf1779–18231789–1808FranceFrench privateer and slave trader who operated in the Indian Ocean between 1789 and 1801, and again from 1807 to 1808, capturing over 40 prizes, while amassing a large fortune as a ship-owner, both from privateering and from commerce.
Rachel Wall1760–17891781–1782Province of PennsylvaniaRachel and her husband George Wall were active off the New Hampshire coast until George and the crew were washed out to sea. She was hanged in Boston on 8 October 1789.
William Walker1824–18601852–1860United StatesAmerican lawyer, journalist and adventurer, who organized several private military expeditions into Latin America, with the intention of establishing English-speaking colonies under his personal control. Walker became president of the Republic of Nicaragua in 1856 and ruled until 1857, when he was defeated by a coalition of Central American armies. He was executed in Trujillo by the government of Honduras in 1860.
Alexander White1762–17841784East Coast of AmericaHanged for piracy in Cambridge, Massachusetts in November 1784.
Dominique You1775–18301802–1814HaitiAcquired a reputation for daring as a pirate. Retired to become a politician in New Orleans.

Renegades of the West Indies: 1820–1830

NameLifeYears activeCountry of originComments
Mansel Alcantra (Alcantara)fl. 18291820sSpainIn 1829, he captured the Topaz off St. Helena and had the entire crew murdered.
Roberto Cofresí1791–18251818–1825Puerto RicoConsidered the "last of the West India pirates", Cofresí avoided capture by the navies of six nations for years and became the final target of the West Indies Anti-Piracy Operations. After being captured by the Puerto Rican militia, he claimed to have a stash of 4,000 pieces of eight hidden, which he tried to use as a bribe.
Diabolito (Little Devil)d. 1823CubaCuban-born pirate active in the Caribbean during the early 19th century. He was one of the first pirates to be hunted down by Commodore David Porter and the Mosquito Fleet during the early 1820s.
Charles Gibbs1798–18311816–1831United StatesOne of the last pirates active in the Caribbean, and one of the last people executed for piracy by the United States.
"Don" Pedro Gilbert1800–18341832–1834ColombiaTook part in the last recorded incident of piracy in Atlantic waters.
Benito de Soto1805–18301827–1830SpainThe most notorious of the last generation to attack shipping on the Atlantic Ocean.
Jacque Alexander Tardy1767–18271817–1827France

Piracy in East and Southeast Asia: 1400–1860

NameLifeYears ActiveCountry of originComments
Chen Zuyi−140715th centuryChinaBased operations in Palembang, Sumatra and raided the Malacca Strait. Eventually captured by Ming admiral Zheng He.
Limahong1499–157516th centuryChinaPirate-warlord who raided the coast of Southern China, the northern Philippine Islands and Manila in 1574.
Wang Zhi−156016th centuryChinaSmuggler turned head of pirate syndicate, raided from Japan to Thailand.
Lin Daoqian−1580s16th centuryChinaLed pirate attacks along the coast of Guangdong and Fujian. Driven to Taiwan by the Ming navy commander Yu Dayou.
Tuanku Abbasearly 19th centuryto 1844Malay ArchipelagoThe brother of a rajah of Achin, known for his sponsoring and leading of pirate raids.
Eli Boggs1810–18571830–1857United StatesPirate who sailed in Chinese junk for smuggling.
Cheng Id. 1807to 1807ChinaA pirate on the Chinese coast in the 18h and 19th centuries.
Cheung Po Tsaiearly 19th centuryto 1810ChinaActive along the Guangdong coast and is said to have commanded a fleet of 600 junks.
Ching Shihd. 18441807–1810ChinaA prominent female pirate in late Qing China. She was a prostitute who married a pirate and rose to prominence after his death. Regarded as one of the most powerful pirates in human history, she commanded her husband's fleet after his death. While the fleet she inherited was already large, she further increased the number of ships and crew. At its height, her fleet was composed of more than 1,500 ships and 80,000 sailors. She controlled much of the waters of the South China Sea. After years of piracy during which she defeated several attempts to capture her, the Qing government offered her peace in 1810 and she was able to retire. She married her second-in-command.
Chui A-pood. 1851?1840s–1850ChinaBased in Bias Bay east of Hong Kong, Chui preyed on merchant ships in the South China Sea until his fleet was defeated by the Royal Navy in 1849.
Abdulla al-Hadjd. 18431800sEngland/ArabiaEnglish pirate primarily known for his activity in the South China Sea
Shap Ng-tsaifl. 1840s1845–1849ChinaCommanded around 70 junks in the South China Sea before retiring and accepting a pardon from the Chinese government.

Piracy from the 20th–21st century: 1901–

Ancient World

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  • Bulwer, Edward Lytton. Athens, Its Rise and Fall: With Views of the Literature, Philosophy, and Social Life of the Athenian People. New York: Harper & brothers Publishers, 1852.
  • Emanuel, J.P., Black Ships and Sea Raiders: The Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Context of Odysseus' Second Cretan Lie
  • Fleming, R., Britain after Rome. The Fall and Rise 400 to 1070
  • Fouracre, P., The New Cambridge Medieval History. Volume I c. 500–c. 700; Hamerow, H., The earliest Anglo-Saxon kingdoms; Lebecq, S., The northern Seas
  • Haywood, J., Dark Age Naval Power. A Reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Seafaring Activity
  • Livy,, Rev. Canon Roberts, Ernest Rhys ; London: J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd.
  • Pearson, A.F., Barbarian Piracy and the Saxon Shore; A reappraisal
  • Plutarch, "Aratus" in Plutarch's Lives, Arthur Hugh Clough, John Dryden. Two volumes. Modern Library; Modern Library Paperback Ed edition. at Project Gutenberg. Vol. 2:.
  • Polybius,, Evelyn S. Shuckburgh ; London, New York. Macmillan ; Reprint Bloomington.
  • Pritchett, William Kendrick. The Greek State at War. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1974.
  • Rawlinson, George; Benjamin Jowett, Henry Graham Dakyns and Edward James Chinnock. Greek Historians: The Complete and Unabridged Historical Works of Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon and Arrian. New York: Random House Incorporated, 1942.
  • Rogozinski, Jan. Pirates!: Brigands, Buccaneers, and Privateers in Fact, Fiction, and Legend. New York: Da Capo Press, 1996.
  • Shaw, Philip. The Sublime. New York: Routledge, 2006.
  • Strabo,, translated by Horace Leonard Jones; Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd.. Books 8–9:, Books 13–14:.
  • Thirlwall, Connop. A History of Greece. London: Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans, 1846.
  • Walbank, F. W., Philip V of Macedon, The University Press.
  • Waltari, Mika; The Etruscan.
  • Wilkes, John, The Illyrians , Blackwell Publishers, .

Middle Ages

  • Bono, Salvatore, Corsari nel Mediterraneo, Oscar Storia Mondadori. Perugia, 1993.
  • Bottling, Douglas. The Pirates. Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books Inc., 1978.
  • Bracker, Jörgen : Klaus Störtebeker – only one of them. The history of the Vitalienbrüder. In: Wilfried honour-break : Störtebeker. 600 years after its death. Porta Alba publishing house, Luebeck 2001,
  • Bradford, Ernle, The Sultan's Admiral: the Life of Barbarossa, London, 1968.
  • Currey, E. Hamilton, Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean,, London, 1910
  • John of Fordun, Chronicle of the Scottish Nation. Edited by William Forbes Skene, translated by Felix J.H. Skene. Reprinted, Llanerch Press, Lampeter, 1993.
  • Knecht, R.J. Renaissance Warrior and Patron: The Reign of Francis I. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
  • McDonald, R. Andrew Outlaws of Medieval Scotland: Challenges to the Canmore Kings, 1058–1266. Tuckwell Press, East Linton, 2003.
  • Meier, D., Seefahrer, Händler und Piraten im Mittelalter
  • Oram, Richard, David I: The King who made Scotland. Tempus, Stroud, 2004.
  • Rogozinski, Jan. Pirates!: Brigands, Buccaneers, and Privateers in Fact, Fiction, and Legend. New York: Da Capo Press, 1996.
  • Tschan, F.J., Adam of Bremen. History of the Archbishops of Hamburg-Bremen
  • William of Newburgh, Historia rerum anglicarum, Book 1 Ch. 24,, Full-text online.
  • Wolf, John B., The Barbary Coast: Algeria under the Turks, New York, 1979;

Rise of the English Sea Dogs and Dutch Privateers: 1560–1650

  • Andrade, Tonio. The Company's Chinese Pirates: How the Dutch East India Company Tried to Lead a Coalition of Pirates to War Against China, 1621–1662].
  • Bicheno, Hugh Crescent and Cross: The Battle of Lepanto 1571, Phoenix Paperback, 2004,
  • Currey, E. Hamilton Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean, London, 1910.
  • Gerhard, Peter. Pirates of New Spain, 1575–1742. Mineola, NY: Courier Dover Publications, 2003.
  • van der Hoven, Marco, ed. Exercise of Arms: Warfare in the Netherlands, 1568–1648. Brill Academic Publishers, 1997.
  • Hughes-Hallett, Lucy. Heroes: A History of Hero Worship. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2004. .
  • Kupperman, Karen Ordahl. Providence Island, 1630–1641: The Other Puritan Colony. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
  • Lane, Kris E. Pillaging the Empire: Piracy in the Americas, 1500–1750. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, 1998.
  • Lunsford, V.W., Piracy and Privateering in the Golden Age Netherlands
  • Manthorpe, Jonathan. Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan. New York, 2005.
  • Mattingly, Garett, The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, – a detailed account of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, it received a special citation from the Pulitzer Prize committee in 1960.
  • Maxwell, Kenneth. Naked Tropics: Essays on Empire and Other Rogues. London: Routledge, 2003.
  • Mcgrath, John Terrence. The French in Early Florida: In the Eye of the Hurricane. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2000.
  • Michael, Franz. The Origin of Manchu Rule in China. Baltimore, 1942. Journal of World History, 2004 Dec.; 15:415–44.
  • Miguel de Cervantes, in chapter XXXIX of his classic El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha, mentions Uluç Ali under the name of "Uchali", describing briefly his rise to the regency of Algiers.
  • Rodger, N.A.M. The Safeguard of the Sea; A Naval History of Britain 660–1649..
  • Roding, Juliette and Lex Heerma van Voss, ed. The North Sea and Culture . Larenseweg, Netherlands: Uitgeverij VerLoren, 1996.
  • Rogozinski, Jan. Pirates!: Brigands, Buccaneers, and Privateers in Fact, Fiction, and Legend. New York: Da Capo Press, 1996.
  • Schmidt, Benjamin. Innocence Abroad: The Dutch Imagination and the New World, 1570–1670. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
  • Stradling, R.A. The Armada of Flanders: Spanish Maritime Policy and European War, 1568–1668. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
  • Wolf, John B. The Barbary Coast: Algeria under the Turks, W.W. Norton, New York/London, 1979, .

Age of the Buccaneers: 1650–1690

The Pirates of the Caribbean II in Tortuga in the XVII Century Tortuga, 1918.
  • Haring, Clarence. The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII Century. Methuen, 1910.
  • Walpole, Horace,
  • Lunsford, V.W., Piracy and Privateering in the Golden Age Netherlands
  • Marley, David F. Pirates and Privateers of the Americas. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1994.
  • Morris, Mowbray. Tales of the Spanish Main. Kessinger Publishing, 2005.
  • Riccardo Capoferro, Frontiere del racconto. Letteratura di viaggio e romanzo in Inghilterra, 1690–1750, Meltemi, 2007.
  • Rogozinski, Jan. Pirates!: Brigands, Buccaneers, and Privateers in Fact, Fiction, and Legend. New York: Da Capo Press, 1996.
  • Rogozinski, Jan. Pirates: an A–Z Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press, 1996.
  • The Voyages and Adventures of Capt. Barth. Sharp and Others in the South Sea, Being a Journal of the Same; Also Capt. Van Horn with His Buccanieres Surprising of La Veracruz; to Which Is Added the True Relation of Sir Henry Morgan His Expedition Against the Spaniards in the West-Indies and His Taking Panama; Together with the President of Panama's Account of the Same Expedition, Translated Out of the Spanish; and Col. Beeston's Adjustment of the Peace Between the Spaniards and English in the West Indies. London: Printed by B.W. for R.H. and S.T. and are to be sold by Walter Davis..., 1684.
  • ''The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''

Golden Age of Piracy: 1690–1730

  • Andrews, Thomas F. English Privateers at Cabo San Lucas: the Descriptive Accounts of Puerto Seguro by Edward Cooke and Woodes Rogers, with Added Comments by George Shelvocke and William Betagh . Dawson's Book Shop, Los Angeles.
  • Bolster, W. Jeffrey. Black Jacks: African American Seamen in the Age of Sail.
  • Breverton, Terry The Book of Welsh Pirates and Buccaneers. Glyndwr Publishing.
  • Cooke, Edward A Voyage to the South Sea and Round the World. 3 vols. Lintot, London
  • Ellms, Charles The Pirate's Own Book: Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers. Portland ME: Sanborn & Carter
  • Gilbert, H. The Book of Pirates. London: Bracken Books.
  • Johnson, Charles A General History of the Pyrates. 2 vols. London: Charles Rivington
  • * Johnson, Charles A General History of the Pyrates, from their First Rise and Settlement in the Island of Providence, to the Present Time... 2nd ed. London: Printed for, and sold by, T. Warner
  • * Johnson, Charles A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates. Conway Maritime Press. .
  • * Johnson, Charles The History of the Pirates: containing the lives of Captain Mission.... London: Printed for, and sold by, T. Woodward, 1728.
  • Little, Bryan Crusoe's Captain: Being the Life of Woodes Rogers, seaman, trader, colonial governor. London: Odhams Press
  • Lunsford, V.W., Piracy and Privateering in the Golden Age Netherlands
  • Menefee, S. P. "Vane, Charles," in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, vol. 56 : pp. 94–95.
  • Pennell, C. R. Bandits at Sea: a Pirates Reader. New York: NYU Press
  • Pickering, David Pirates. CollinsGem. New York: HarperCollins Publishers; pp. 80–82
  • Rediker, Marcus Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age. Boston: Beacon Press
  • Rogers, Woodes A Cruising Voyage Round the World. London: Andrew Bell
  • Rogozinski, Jan Pirates!: Brigands, Buccaneers, and Privateers in Fact, Fiction, and Legend. New York: Da Capo Press
  • Rogozinski, Jan Honor Among Thieves: Captain Kidd, Henry Every, and the Pirate Democracy in the Indian Ocean. Stackpole Books
  • Seitz, Don Carlos, Gospel, Howard F. & Wood, Stephen Under the Black Flag: Exploits of the Most Notorious Pirates. Mineola, New York: Courier Dover Publications
  • Smith, Captain Alexander History of the Highwaymen. London: George Routledge & Sons
  • Steele, Philip The World of Pirates. Boston: Kingfisher Publications The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates. London: Printed for Benj. Cowse at the Rose and Crown in St Paul's Church-Yard, 1719.

Decline of Piracy: 1730–1900

  • Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates. Harvest Books.
  • Gregory, Kristiana. The Stowaway: A Tale of California Pirates. Scholastic Trade, 1995.
  • Pickering, David. "Pirates". CollinsGem. HarperCollins Publishers, New York. pp. 96–97. 2006
  • Rothert, Otto A. The Outlaws of Cave-In-Rock, Otto A. Rothert, Cleveland 1924; rpt. 1996