buccaneer: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

Infographic titled Pirates Throughout History showing a world map with highlighted regions of major pirate activity and a timeline of significant piracy events from ancient times to the 2010s, including notable pirates and key historical moments.

William Dampier

Morgan, Sir Henry

Sir Francis Drake: Admiral, pirate, and explorer

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Pirates, Privateers, Corsairs, Buccaneers: What’s the Difference?piracy naval warfare privateer warship Today in History—August 23: The End of the Battle of Mobile Bay submarine letter of marque amphibious warfare sea power visit and search galley warfare Continuous voyage

Key People

Dampier

William Dampier

British explorer

Henry Morgan, detail of an engraving by an unknown artist

Sir Henry Morgan

Welsh buccaneer

Selkirk, Alexander

Alexander Selkirk

Scottish sailor

default image

Louis Granmont

French buccaneer

Old medieval wooden pirate military war ship with a cannon on the deck pointed out and aiming

Spot the Difference: Pirates, Privateers, Corsairs, and Buccaneers