Blackbeard

Blackbeard was an English pirate active during the early 18th century, best known by the name Edward Teach, though his surname also appears as Thatch or Thack in historical sources.

Blackbeard was the alias of Edward Teach, an English pirate active during the early 18th century. He became one of the most infamous figures of the Golden Age of Piracy before his death in 1718.

What it is

Blackbeard is the pirate alias most commonly associated with Edward Teach, though his surname also appears as Thatch or Thack. He likely served as a privateer during Queen Anne's War before turning to piracy around 1716. His career was brief, lasting roughly two years, during which he operated in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic coast of North America.

Key details

Blackbeard is strongly associated with the ship Queen Anne's Revenge. He gained a reputation for intimidation and for capturing merchant vessels. He was killed on 22 November 1718 in a battle near Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, during an encounter with colonial forces led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard. Accounts differ on the exact wounds, but all agree he was killed in combat and then decapitated.

Why it matters

Blackbeard became a lasting figure in maritime folklore and popular culture. His notoriety was amplified by later storytelling, and his image remains one of the best-known symbols of piracy. His death is often seen as a symbolic end point in the history of Atlantic Coast piracy.