20 Legendary Pirates Who Ruled the Seas

Edward Teach cultivated fear as deliberately as he steered his ship. He would weave slow-burning fuses into his beard during battles so that the smoke would swirl around his face, turning the fight into a spectacle. The colonial archives of the Carolinas show just how effective intimidation alone could be.

Anne Bonny defied nearly every expectation placed on women in the early 18th century. She fought openly alongside male pirates and earned a reputation for ferocity as a member of Calico Jack’s crew. Jamaican court records describe her as more dangerous than most men.

Known as Black Bart, Roberts captured or destroyed hundreds of ships in just a few years. He enforced a written code aboard his fleet, which included provisions for compensation in the event of injury. His discipline made him one of the most successful pirates of the Golden Age.

William Kidd began his career as a privateer authorized by the English Crown. When the policy changed, his legal cover disappeared, and he became the most famous pirate in British history. His execution in 1701 served as a warning to all those who operated in a legal gray area.

Morgan operated with government support while, in practice, behaving like a pirate. His raids on Spanish ports in the Caribbean were devastatingly effective. England eventually knighted him, proving that piracy often depends on one’s point of view.

Jack Rackham’s legacy rests more on his style and his associates than on his success. His colorful clothing earned him his nickname, while his crew included Anne Bonny and Mary Read. History remembers him most of all because of those who sailed alongside him.

Mary Read spent much of her life disguised as a man, first as a soldier and then as a pirate. She fought fiercely and earned respect through her actions rather than her identity. Contemporary accounts suggest that she revealed her gender only when it mattered.

Bonnet was a wealthy landowner who simply decided to become a pirate. His lack of navigational skills made him dependent on others, particularly Blackbeard. His story reads like a cautionary tale about money without experience.

Vane rejected the royal pardons and refused to conform when piracy became less tolerated. His stubbornness cost him his allies and, ultimately, his freedom. Trial records describe him as a man who remained defiant to the very end.

Low was known, even among pirates, for his cruelty. He relied on torture and unpredictability as tools of control. Accounts from Atlantic merchants describe encounters with Low as particularly traumatic.

Ching Shih commanded a pirate confederation of tens of thousands of people in the South China Sea. She enforced strict laws and thwarted the maneuvers of the Chinese and European navies. Her negotiated retreat remains one of the most successful operations in the history of piracy.

Zheng Yi laid the foundation for the Red Flag Fleet before his death. His leadership helped unify the pirate groups into a powerful network. His widow then expanded it far beyond anything he had accomplished.

Drake blurred the lines between piracy and patriotism during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His raids on Spanish ships financed the English navy and enriched the crown. Spanish archives described him as a criminal, while England celebrated him as a hero.

Lafitte operated in the Gulf of Mexico, engaging in both smuggling and piracy. He later aided Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. American history has regarded him as a popular figure rather than a criminal.

Bellamy, known as Black Sam, advocated for more egalitarian pirate crews. In recorded speeches, he criticized the wealth inequalities created by the European empires. His shipwreck off the coast of Cape Cod brought an end to a brief but idealistic career.

Tew helped pioneer piracy along the trade routes of the Indian Ocean. His early successes inspired others to follow him eastward. He met a violent death during a boarding attempt—a common fate for daring innovators.

Fly became known for rebelling against abusive ship captains. His execution in Boston was widely publicized as a deterrent. Pamphlets from that period reveal the public’s sympathy for his grievances.

Levasseur, nicknamed “La Buse,” operated in the Indian Ocean and left behind legends of hidden treasures. A cryptogram attributed to him continues to fuel speculation to this day. French colonial archives confirm his spectacular execution.

Davis relied more on his charm and deception than on brute force. He often posed as a legitimate merchant or a naval officer. His career was short but influential among the pirates who followed him.

Roche Braziliano terrorized the Caribbean with his unpredictable violence. His behavior frightened even his fellow pirates. Spanish and Dutch reports consistently describe his campaigns as exceptionally destructive.