The most famous pirates

Ahoy, sailors and adventurers in search of stories of buccaneers and corsairs! Prepare to set sail and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of the most famous pirates who have sailed the seas , both real and fictional. Our journey will take us through historical stories and fantastic intrigues to discover the exploits, treasures and battles of these brigands. So, cast off and hoist the Jolly Roger, because our adventure has only just begun!

William Kidd (Captain Kidd)

Originally from Scotland, William Kidd , also known as Captain Kidd, became one of the most infamous pirates in history. Sailing in the 17th century, Kidd was hired as a privateer to hunt and capture pirates.

However, his life took a dramatic turn when he seized the Quedagh Merchant, a ship owned by a British nobleman. This capture marked the beginning of the end for Kidd, who was accused of piracy and ultimately hanged in 1701.

Many legends surround Captain Kidd's hidden treasures . In 2015, a hoard of around a hundred coins was discovered in Madagascar, fueling speculation about the presence of other buried treasures.

Edward Teach (Blackbeard)

Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach, was an English pirate who operated in the Caribbean in the early 18th century. With his terrifying appearance and reputation for being ruthless, Blackbeard became an iconic figure of the golden age of piracy.

He often sported lit fuses in his beard during battle to frighten his enemies. Despite his short career as a pirate, which lasted only two years, Blackbeard left his mark on history with his audacity and cruelty. He was eventually killed in a clash with the Royal Navy in 1718, thus ending his acts of piracy.

Anne Bonny

Anne Bonny , a female pirate born in Ireland at the beginning of the 18th century, was one of the rare women to distinguish herself in this environment. Brave and determined, she joined Calico Jack 's crew and fought in many battles alongside her fellow pirates.

Anne Bonny was captured with Mary Read , but she managed to escape hanging by revealing that she was pregnant. Its fascinating history continues to inspire fans of piracy and adventure.

Mary Read

Much like Anne Bonny, Mary Read was an English female pirate who sailed alongside Calico Jack and Anne Bonny. Mary had a habit of disguising herself as a man to avoid detection, a testament to her resourcefulness and determination.

Together, Mary and Anne formed a formidable duo, fighting side by side in many naval battles . Unfortunately, after their capture, Mary was sentenced to death. However, she escaped hanging by falling ill and dying of fever in prison.

Long John Silver (Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Long John Silver, fictional character in the famous novel " Treasure Island " by Robert Louis Stevenson , is the archetype of the cunning and manipulative pirate. Despite his wooden leg, Silver is a formidable fighter and a fine strategist. His charisma and intelligence allowed him to become the leader of the pirates in search of Captain Flint's hidden treasure. Long John Silver has become an iconic character in literature and has inspired numerous film and television adaptations.

Captain Hook (Peter Pan, by JM Barrie)

Captain Hook is a fictional character from JM Barrie's novel Peter Pan. Peter Pan's sworn enemy, Captain Hook is an elegant and refined pirate, but also ruthless. His right hand was severed during a fight with Peter, and he now wears it replaced with a hook, hence his name. Haunted by a crocodile that has devoured his hand and wishes to devour him whole, Captain Hook embodies fear and rivalry in this children's tale.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean movie)

Played by Johnny Depp in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise, Captain Jack Sparrow is an eccentric and charming character. His sense of humor and unique mannerisms make him an unforgettable pirate. Although he is often seen as an anti-hero, Jack Sparrow usually ends up doing good, even if it is often done by accident or to further his own interests. His quick wit and swordsmanship skills make him an iconic pop culture character.

Hector Barbossa (Pirates of the Caribbean, movie)

Hector Barbossa , played by Geoffrey Rush in "Pirates of the Caribbean", is a cunning and formidable pirate. Enemy and occasional ally of Jack Sparrow, Barbossa navigates between piracy and the quest for redemption. His complex and charismatic character won the hearts of fans of the film series.

Edward Kenway (Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, video game)

Edward Kenway , protagonist of the video game "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag", is a British pirate who becomes a member of the Assassin Brotherhood. Sailing the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy, Kenway encounters historical pirates such as Blackbeard and Calico Jack.

Its story mixes fact and fiction, offering players an immersive experience in the world of piracy. His skills as an assassin and swordsman, as well as his quest to discover the truth about the Assassins and the Templars , make him a notable video game character.

Captain Flint (Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson and the Black Sails series)

Captain Flint is a fictional character who appears in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island and the television series Black Sails. Flint is a ruthless and feared pirate known for his hidden treasures.

In the series " Black Sails ", Flint is portrayed as a tormented and complex man, whose actions are motivated by political and personal beliefs. His character offers an in-depth look at the life and motivations of an 18th century pirate.

Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece, manga and anime)

Monkey D. Luffy is the main character of the manga and anime " One Piece ". He dreams of becoming the pirate king by finding the legendary One Piece treasure.

Luffy is gifted with elastic powers after accidentally consuming a Devil Fruit. His optimistic, determined and loyal character has won over fans around the world, making "One Piece" one of the most popular and enduring manga and anime series.

Captain Pugwash (British comic book character)

Captain Pugwash is a British comic strip character created by John Ryan in 1950. This good-natured, clumsy and vain pirate sails the seas with his crew, experiencing small adventures and humorous adventures.

Although not as famous as some of the other pirates on this list, Captain Pugwash still captured the imagination of British children for several decades.

Cervantes de Leon (Soulcalibur, video game)

Cervantes de Leon is a character in the fighting video game series " Soulcalibur ". This Spanish pirate is looking for the legendary sword Soul Edge to gain power and immortality.

Cervantes is a formidable fighter, armed with two swords and endowed with supernatural powers. His role as an antagonist in the series makes him an essential character for fans of “Soulcalibur”.

Guybrush Threepwood (Monkey Island, video game)

Guybrush Threepwood is the main character of the adventure game series " Monkey Island ". This young budding pirate, clumsy and full of humor, embarks on incredible adventures to prove his worth and save his beloved.

The "Monkey Island" games are known for their quirky humor, complex puzzles and unique atmosphere, and Guybrush Threepwood has become an iconic character in point-and-click adventure games.

Captain Charles Vane (Black Sails story and series)

Charles Vane was a real-life British pirate who sailed in the Caribbean in the early 18th century. He was known for his cruelty and unpredictable temperament.

Vane was also a central character in the television series "Black Sails", where he is portrayed by actor Zach McGowan . In the series, Vane is portrayed as an ambitious and reckless man, willing to do anything to protect his freedom and that of his fellow pirates.

Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean, movie)

Davy Jones is a fictional character from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise. Captain of the ghost ship the Flying Dutchman, Jones is half-man, half- octopus and condemned to sail the seas for eternity.

He collects the souls of sailors who died at sea and enlists them in his crew of ghosts. Davy Jones is a fascinating and tragic character, whose curse and fate arouse both fear and empathy.

Captain Morgan (Henry Morgan, History)

Captain Morgan , real name Henry Morgan, was a Welsh pirate and privateer who operated in the Caribbean in the 17th century. Hired by England to attack Spanish colonies, Morgan was knighted and became lieutenant governor of Jamaica.

Today, he is mainly associated with the eponymous brand of rum, "Captain Morgan", which helped maintain the legend of this daring and charismatic pirate.

Captain Nemo (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne)

Captain Nemo is a fictional character from Jules Verne's novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea . Nemo, a mysterious and brilliant man, is the captain of the Nautilus, an advanced submarine that he uses to explore the depths of the oceans and fight his enemies.

Although not technically a pirate in the traditional sense, Captain Nemo embodies the spirit of independence and rebellion that characterizes the most famous pirates.

Sinbad the Sailor (Tales of the Arabian Nights)

Sinbad the Sailor is a character from the tales of the Arabian Nights, a collection of stories from the Middle East and South Asia. Sinbad is a sailor and adventurer who experiences seven extraordinary voyages, encountering fantastical creatures and discovering priceless treasures.

Although Sinbad is not a pirate per se, his spirit of adventure and his quest for wealth brings him closer to the most famous pirates in history and fiction.

Rackham the Red (Asterix, comic strip)

Rackham the Red is a character from the French comic strip "Asterix". Comical and unlucky pirate, Rackham the Red is the captain of a ship who has the misfortune of regularly crossing paths with Asterix and Obelix. Despite his attempts to plunder and conquer, Rackham and his crew are systematically foiled by the intrepid Gauls.

The character of Rackham the Red adds a touch of humor and lightness to the adventures of Asterix and his friends, making him a memorable, albeit unfortunate, pirate.

John Silver (Treasure Planet, animated film)

John Silver is a character in " Treasure Planet ", an animated film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and inspired by the novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. In this futuristic version of the story, Silver is a pirate cyborg who befriends young hero Jim Hawkins.

The character of John Silver combines the classic characteristics of the cunning and manipulative pirate with a more human and protective side towards Jim.

Anne Providence (Anne of the Indies, film)

Anne Providence is a fictional character from the 1951 film, "Anne of India", portrayed by actress Jean Peters. Inspired by the real pirate Anne Bonny, Anne Providence is a ruthless and determined female pirate.

Throughout the film, she fights to find her place in the male-dominated world of piracy, proving her worth and daring in the face of her enemies.

Conclusion on the most famous pirates

In the end, my dear sailors , whether they are scoundrels of the seven seas or vigilantes of the deep, pirates have conquered our hearts and our imagination. They remind us that, despite our love for the orderly life, there is in each of us a little pirate who dreams of weighing anchor, hoisting the black flag and setting off on an adventure.

So the next time you find yourself humming a tune of "Yo-ho-ho and a Bottle of Rum," remember that while pirates aren't always paragons of virtue , they embody the spirit indomitable for exploration , freedom and, of course, the eternal quest for loot.

And remember, my friends, if you ever come face to face with a pirate, just keep your cool, wave your skull flag proudly and tell him, "Ahoy! I'm a formidable buccaneer myself, so rather than engage in a merciless duel, how about we share a glass of rum and exchange our best stories of buried treasure?

Because after all, in the world of pirates, a good story is sometimes worth as much as the most precious treasure . Yarrr!