Blackbeard
An illustration of the pirate Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach, taken from the book A General History of the Pyrates, 3rd ed. (1725), by Charles Johnson.
Blackbeard
English pirate
Also known as: Edward Teach, Edward Thack, Edward Thatch
Blackbeard (born c. 1680, Bristol?, England—died November 22, 1718, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina [U.S.]) was one of history’s most famous pirates, who became an imposing figure in American folklore. Little is known of Blackbeard’s early life, and his origins have been left to speculation. He has been widely identified as Edward Teach (or several variations thereof, including Thatch and Thack), though pirate custom at the time was to use a pseudonym when engaging in acts...