Throughout history, pirates have both plagued and terrorized virtually all countries and civilizations that have engaged in shipping and trade. This page is mainly about those that operated during the Golden Age of Piracy. Some of these pirates became quite wealthy stealing treasure and cargo sent to and from the New World. Primarily in the area of the Caribbean frequently referred to as the Spanish Main. At this time Port Royal, Jamaica had become the unofficial pirates haven. It was also during this time in history that piracy was at its most popular point, and when the most prominent figures in piracy (Blackbeard, Every, Bellamy, etc.) made names for themselves. In reading the pirate biographies below you will find that the majority of these famous pirates had very brief careers lasting just a few short years which ended in their deaths. Perhaps the really successful pirates were the ones that were able to pillage and plunder while keeping a low profile in the shadows of obscurity.... one step ahead of the authorities.

Cutthroats and Pirates

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

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

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

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

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

* Peter Easton - One of the most successful pirates of all time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Christopher Mings - A legendary pirate who inspired many a rogue to follow in his footsteps.

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

* Jean-David Nau - One of the most sadistic of pirates.

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

* John Rackham - He was best known for his exploits with Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

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

* Bartholomew Roberts - "Black Bart" as he was known was probably the most successful pirate of his day.

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

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

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

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