20 Famous Pirates in History: Captains, Flags, Ships & Fates

The archetype of Golden Age terror. Teach used psychological warfare, weaving slow-burning sulfur hemp matches into his massive dark beard before boarding actions. Despite his bloodthirsty reputation, historical court records show no evidence that he ever murdered a compliant captive.

Originally a third mate aboard the slave ship Princess, Roberts was forced into piracy upon capture and elected captain weeks later. A strict teetotaler who drank only tea, enforced strict sabbath observance, and wrote rigorous democratic crew articles.

Undisputedly the most powerful pirate leader in recorded world history. She established a strict legal code punishing rape of female captives and theft from common villages with beheading, and successfully defeated the combined naval armadas of the Qing Empire, Portuguese Navy, and British East India Company.

Every led a bloodless mutiny aboard the privateer Charles II and established the Pirate Round route to intercept wealthy Mughal pilgrim fleets. His capture of the Grand Mughal’s flagship triggered history’s first global manhunt with a £1,000 bounty offered by King William III and the East India Company.

Born in Ireland, Bonny abandoned a comfortable colonial life in Charles Town to join the pirate republic of Nassau. Sailing openly in male sailor’s trousers armed with pistol and boarding axe alongside Mary Read and Calico Jack, she fought fiercely during their final battle while the male crew hid intoxicated below decks.

Read disguised herself as a man from childhood, serving in the British infantry and cavalry in Flanders before sailing to the West Indies. Her true identity remained unknown to most crewmen until she and Anne Bonny stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the quarterdeck.

Known for his generosity, democratic values, and dashing appearance. Bellamy referred to himself as a "Robin Hood of the Sea," offering captured sailors voluntary recruitment or returning their ships intact after stripping essential munitions.

Famous for his colorful calico coats and for harboring history’s two most famous female pirates aboard his vessel. Rackham initially served as quartermaster to Charles Vane, overthrowing him when Vane refused to attack a French naval warship.

The fiercest opponent of British authority in Nassau. When Royal Governor Woodes Rogers arrived with war frigates to offer the King’s Pardon in 1718, Vane set fire to a prize ship, steered the blazing fireship straight at the naval fleet, and escaped into the night firing his stern chasers.

Notorious as the most sadistic and brutal pirate captain of the 18th century. Born in London’s Westminster slums, Low routinely mutilated captured naval officers, burned seized ships with crews aboard, and tortured captives who hid gold.